Opdivo®+Yervoy®

Understanding Opdivo® + Yervoy® 

Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab) are immunotherapy medications that, when used in combination, enhance the body’s immune response against various cancers. This combination has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of multiple cancer types, offering a synergistic approach to target and destroy cancer cells.

How Opdivo® + Yervoy® Works:

• Dual Immune Checkpoint Inhibition: Opdivo® blocks the PD-1 receptor, while Yervoy® targets the CTLA-4 receptor. Inhibiting these checkpoints enhances T-cell activity, promoting a more robust immune response against cancer cells.

• Enhanced Anti-Tumor Activity: The combination therapy has demonstrated improved efficacy in shrinking tumors and prolonging survival in certain cancers compared to monotherapy.

• Administration: Both medications are administered intravenously, often on the same day, with dosing schedules varying based on the specific cancer type and treatment regimen.

FDA Approvals:

The Opdivo® and Yervoy® combination has received FDA approval for several indications, including:

• Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma: Approved in July 2018 for adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older.

• Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: Approved on April 16, 2018, as a first-line treatment for adult patients with intermediate or poor risks.

• Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Approved on May 15, 2020, as a first-line treatment for adult patients with metastatic or recurrent NSCLC, regardless of PD-L1 expression and histology.

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Granted accelerated approval on March 10, 2020, for adult patients previously treated with sorafenib.

• Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Approved in July 2018 for adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) disease that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.

For more detailed information, including additional indications and safety considerations, please visit the Opdivo® patient website and consult your healthcare provider to determine if the Opdivo® + Yervoy® combination is the right treatment option for you.