pembrolizumab + nivolumab

Pembrolizumab + nivolumab is a combination immunotherapy regimen consisting of two PD-1 inhibitors. Both drugs are IgG4 isotype antibodies that bind to and block the PD-1 receptor on lymphocytes, preventing it from interacting with PD-L1/PD-L2 ligands. This blockade prevents the deactivation of T cells, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Despite targeting the same receptor, these antibodies bind to different epitopes on PD-1 with almost no overlap in their binding sites, potentially offering complementary mechanisms of action. The combination has been investigated for treatment of various advanced cancers, including melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma.