title: Nivolumab: targeting PD-1 to bolster antitumor immunity.
abstract: Nivolumab, a fully human IgG4 PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, blocks PD-1 and can restore anticancer immune responses by abrogating PD-1 pathway-mediated T-cell inhibition. Nivolumab is approved in Japan and the USA for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma. A Phase I trial reported overall objective response rates of 17, 32 and 29% in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, respectively, which included many heavily pretreated patients. 1-/2-year overall survival rates were 42%/24%, 63%/48% and 70%/50% for non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. Nivolumab significantly improved survival versus dacarbazine in previously untreated patients with metastatic melanoma in a Phase III trial. Nivolumab is associated with a manageable adverse event profile. Numerous clinical trials are investigating nivolumab alone or in combination with other therapies in multiple cancer settings. This article summarizes the development of nivolumab as of November 2014.
authors: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors: Julie R
authors: JR
authors: Brahmer
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Hammers
authors: Evan J
authors: EJ
authors: Lipson
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000077594:Nivolumab; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; D000077594:Nivolumab
keywords: PD-1; immune checkpoint inhibitors; immunotherapy; lung cancer; melanoma; nivolumab; programmed death-1; renal cancer