rovalpituzumab tesirine + nivolumab

Rovalpituzumab tesirine + nivolumab is a combination therapy comprised of two agents: rovalpituzumab tesirine, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting delta-like protein 3 (DLL3), and nivolumab, a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor. Rovalpituzumab tesirine binds DLL3 on tumor cells, delivering a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) cytotoxic payload that cross-links DNA, inducing apoptosis[2][5]. Nivolumab enhances antitumor immunity by blocking the PD-1 receptor on T cells, preventing inhibitory signaling and promoting T-cell-mediated tumor cell lysis. This combination was investigated for synergistic efficacy in previously treated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Although modest antitumor activity was observed, studies revealed notable toxicity and limited clinical benefit, leading to termination of development for this indication[4][7][9].

Brand names

Opdivo (for nivolumab)

Other names

rovalpituzumab tesirine and nivolumab