nivolumab

High Alert

Unresectable/metastatic melanoma (as monotherapy or in combination with ipilimumab).
Adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.
Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving nivolumab.
First-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC in patients whose tumors express PD-L1(≥1%) and have no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations (in combination with ipilimumab).
First-line treatment of metastatic or recurrent NSCLC in patients whose tumors have no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations (in combination with ipilimumab and two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy).
Neoadjuvant treatment of resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) NSCLC (in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy).
Advanced renal cell carcinoma in patients who have previously received antiangiogenic therapy (as monotherapy).
Immediate or poor risk, previously untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma (in combination with ipilimumab).
First-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (in combination with cabozantinib).
Classic Hodgkin's lymphoma that has relapsed or progressed after either autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and brentuximab or ≥3 lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
Adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma in patients who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of urothelial carcinoma.
First-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine).
Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in patients who either have progression during or following platinum-based therapy or have progression within 12 mo of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-based therapy.
Microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (as monotherapy or in combination with ipilimumab).
Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who have been previously treated with sorafenib (in combination with ipilimumab).
Unresectable advanced, recurrent, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
First-line treatment of unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy).
First-line treatment of unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (in combination with ipilimumab).
Adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.
Advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma (in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy).
First-line treatment of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (in combination with ipilimumab).

Action ⬆ ⬇

Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody (an IgG4 kappa immunoglobulin) that binds to PD-1 and blocks its interaction with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, resulting in activation of the immune system and decreased tumor growth.

Therapeutic effects:

Decreased progression of melanoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, urothelial carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Decreased progression of and improved survival with NSCLC and advanced renal cell carcinoma.
Improved survival in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailability.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: 26.7 days.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
IV	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

OB: Pregnancy;
Lactation: Lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

Patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation before or after nivolumab therapy (↑ risk of complications);
Patients with multiple myeloma receiving a thalidomide analogue and dexamethasone (↑ risk of mortality);
Rep: Women of reproductive potential;
Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children 12 yr (microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer and melanoma) or children 18 yr (all other indications).

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

CV: MYOCARDITIS, pericarditis, peripheral edema, vasculitis

Derm: rash, DRUG REACTION WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS (DRESS), STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME (SJS), TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS (TEN)

EENT: iritis, uveitis

Endo: hypothyroidism, ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY, hyperthyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypophysitis, type 1 diabetes

F and E: hyperkalemia

GI: colitis, gastritis, HEPATITIS, pancreatitis

GU: nephritis

Hemat: hemolytic anemia

MS: myositis, RHABDOMYOLYSIS

Neuro: autoimmune neuropathy, ENCEPHALITIS, Guillain-Barré syndrome, MENINGITIS, myasthenic syndrome, myelitis

Resp: cough, PNEUMONITIS

Misc: INFUSION-RELATED REACTIONS

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

None reported.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma

IV (Adults and Children ≥12 yr and ≥40 kg): As monotherapy: 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity; In combination with ipilimumab: 1 mg/kg every 3 wk for 4 doses or until unacceptable toxicity (whichever occurs first) (administer before ipilimumab on same day); then either 240 mg as monotherapy every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg as monotherapy every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
IV (Children ≥12 yr and <40 kg): As monotherapy: 3 mg/kg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 6 mg/kg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity; In combination with ipilimumab: 1 mg/kg every 3 wk for 4 doses or until unacceptable toxicity (whichever occurs first) (administer before ipilimumab on same day); then either 3 mg/kg as monotherapy every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 6 mg/kg as monotherapy every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Adjuvant Treatment of Melanoma

IV (Adults and Children ≥12 yr and ≥40 kg): 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 1 yr or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 1 yr.
IV (Children ≥12 yr and <40 kg): 3 mg/kg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 1 yr or 6 mg/kg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 1 yr.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

IV (Adults ): 1 mg/kg every 3 wk for 4 doses (administer before ipilimumab on same day); then 240 mg as monotherapy every 2 wk or 480 mg as monotherapy every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

First-Line Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

IV (Adults ): In combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine: 360 mg every 3 wk for up to 6 cycles (administer before cisplatin and gemcitabine on same day); then either 240 mg as monotherapy every 2 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 2 yr or 480 mg as monotherapy every 4 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 2 yr.

Adjuvant Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma

IV (Adults ): 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 1 yr or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 1 yr.

Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Urothelial Carcinoma, or Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

IV (Adults ): 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

IV (Adults ): As monotherapy: 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy: 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or for up to 2 yr or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or for up to 2 yr. In combination with ipilimumab: 3 mg/kg every 2 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or for up to 2 yr (administer before ipilimumab on same day) or 360 mg every 3 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or for up to 2 yr (administer before ipilimumab on same day).

Adjuvant Treatment of Resected Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

IV (Adults ): 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for a total treatment duration of 1 yr or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for a total treatment duration of 1 yr.

Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

IV (Adults ): As monotherapy: 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity; In combination with ipilimumab (for metastatic tumors expressing PD-L1): 3 mg/kg every 3 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for up to 2 yr (if no disease progression) (administer before ipilimumab on same day). In combination with ipilimumab (for metastatic or recurrent tumors not expressing PD-L1): 360 mg every 3 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for up to 2 yr (if no disease progression) (when given just with platinum-based chemotherapy on same day, administer nivolumab then platinum-based chemotherapy; when given with ipilimumab and platinum-based chemotherapy on same day, administer nivolumab, then ipilimumab, then platinum-based chemotherapy).

Neoadjuvant Treatment of Resectable Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

IV (Adults ): 360 mg every 3 wk (when given with platinum-doublet chemotherapy on same day) for 3 cycles.

Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

IV (Adults ): As monotherapy: 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity; In combination with ipilimumab: 3 mg/kg every 3 wk for 4 doses (administer before ipilimumab on same day); then 240 mg as monotherapy every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg as monotherapy every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In combination with cabozantinib: 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 2 yr or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 2 yr.

Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

IV (Adults and Children ≥12 yr and ≥40 kg): As monotherapy: 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity; In combination with ipilimumab: 3 mg/kg every 3 wk for 4 doses (administer before ipilimumab on same day); then 240 mg as monotherapy every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or 480 mg as monotherapy every 4 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
IV (Children ≥12 yr and <40 kg): As monotherapy: 3 mg/kg every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity; In combination with ipilimumab: 3 mg/kg every 3 wk for 4 doses (administer before ipilimumab on same day), then 3 mg/kg as monotherapy every 2 wk until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Gastric Cancer, Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

IV (Adults ): 240 mg every 2 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for up to 2 yr (administer before fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy on same day) or 360 mg every 3 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for up to 2 yr (administer before fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy on same day).

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

IV (Adults ): 360 mg/kg every 3 wk until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for up to 2 yr (if no disease progression) (administer before ipilimumab on same day).

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Solution for injection: 10 mg/mL

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Monitor for signs and symptoms of immune-mediated pneumonitis (shortness of breath, chest pain, new or worse cough) periodically during therapy. Treat with corticosteroids 1–2 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalents for ≥Grade 2 pneumonitis followed by corticosteroid taper. If Grade 2 pneumonitis occurs, hold nivolumab; resume therapy when recovery to Grade 0–1. If Grade 3 or 4 pneumonitis occurs, permanently discontinue nivolumab.
Assess for signs and symptoms of infusion reactions (chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fever, feeling faint) periodically during therapy. If Grade 1 or 2 infusion reactions occur, hold or slow infusion. If Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions occur, discontinue therapy.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of immune-mediated colitis (diarrhea, abdominal pain, mucus or blood in stool, with or without fever). Treat with corticosteroids at doses of 1–2 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalents followed by corticosteroid taper for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) colitis. If Grade 2 or 3 colitis occurs, hold nivolumab. Resume with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0–1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 wk of last dose or inability to ↓ prednisone to ≤10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 wk of initiating steroids. If Grade 4 colitis occurs, permanently discontinue nivolumab. If administered with ipilimumab, hold for Grade 2 colitis. For moderate or severe (Grade 3 or 4) or recurrent colitis, permanently discontinue nivolumab and ipilimumab.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of hepatitis (yellowing of skin or whites of eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, right-sided abdominal pain, drowsiness, dark urine, unusual bleeding or bruising, anorexia) periodically during therapy.
Assess for rash periodically during therapy. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes. May cause SJS and TEN. If rash, itching, blistering, or ulcers in mouth or other mucous membranes occur and SJS, TEN, or DRESS are suspected, hold dose and refer for assessment and treatment. If SJS, TEN, or DRESS are confirmed, permanently discontinue therapy. Discontinue therapy if severe or if accompanied with fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, hepatitis, and/or eosinophilia. For immune-mediated rash, administer corticosteroids at doses of 1–2 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalents followed by corticosteroid taper for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) rash. Withhold for severe rash; permanently discontinue for life-threatening rash.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypophysitis (headaches, photophobia, visual field defects, extreme tiredness, weight gain or loss, dizziness or fainting, mood changes, hair loss, feeling cold, constipation, deepening voice, excessive thirst and urination) periodically during therapy. Administer hormone replacement and corticosteroids at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalents followed by corticosteroid taper for moderate or severe hypophysitis. Withhold therapy for moderate or severe hypophysitis. Discontinue for life-threatening (Grade 4) hypophysitis.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. Administer corticosteroids at a dose of 1–2 mg/kg/day prednisone equivalents followed by corticosteroid taper for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) symptoms. Withhold for moderate (Grade 2) and permanently discontinue therapy for severe or life-threatening adrenal insufficiency.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of encephalitis (headache, fever, tiredness or weakness, confusion, memory problems, sleepiness, hallucinations, seizures, stiff neck) periodically during therapy. If Grade 2 neurological toxicities occur, hold therapy for patients with new-onset moderate to severe neurologic symptoms during diagnosis. If Grade 3 or 4 neurological toxicities occur, permanently discontinue nivolumab and administer corticosteroids at dose of 1–2 mg/kg/day prednisone equivalents for immune-mediated encephalitis, followed by corticosteroid taper.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of kidney dysfunction (↓ in amount of urine, blood in urine, swelling in ankles, anorexia) periodically during therapy.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of myocarditis (chest pain, dyspnea) during therapy. If Grade 2, 3, or 4 myocarditis occurs, permanently discontinue nivolumab.

Lab Test Considerations:

Verify negative pregnancy test before starting therapy.Patient selection for NSCLC in combination with ipilimumab is based on PD-L1 expression. Information on FDA-approved tests for the determination of PD-L1 expression in NSCLC is available at: http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics.Monitor for abnormal liver function tests prior to and periodically during therapy. For hepatitis with no tumor involvement: If AST/ALT >3 and ≤8 times (or ≤5 times if given with ipilimumab) upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin >1.5 and ≤3 times ULN, hold nivolumab. Resume with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0–1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 wk of last dose or inability to ↓ prednisone to ≤10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 wk of starting steroids. If AST or ALT >8 times (or >5 times if given with ipilimumab) ULN or total bilirubin >3 times ULN, permanently discontinue nivolumab. For hepatitis with tumor involvement of the liver: If baseline AST/ALT is >1 and ≤3 times ULN and ↑ to >5 and ≤10 times ULN or baseline AST/ALT is >3 and ≤5 times ULN and ↑ to >8 and ≤10 times ULN, hold nivolumab. If AST/ALT >10 times ULN or total bilirubin >3 times ULN, discontinue nivolumab permanently. If given with cabozantinib and ALT or AST >3 times ULN but ≤10 times ULN with concurrent total bilirubin <2 times ULN, hold nivolumab and cabozantinib until recovery to Grade 0–1. If given with cabozantinib and AST or ALT >10 times ULN or >3 times with concurrent bilirubin ≥2 times ULN, permanently discontinue nivolumab and cabozantinib.
- Monitor for ↑ serum creatinine prior to and periodically during therapy. If Grade 2 or 3 ↑ in serum creatinine occur, hold nivolumab. Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0–1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 wk of last dose or inability to ↓ prednisone to ≤10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 wk of starting steroids. If Grade 4 ↑ in serum creatinine occur, permanently discontinue nivolumab.
- Monitor thyroid function prior to and periodically during therapy. Treat hypothyroidism with replacement therapy. Use medical management for hyperthyroidism. Immune-mediated thyroid dysfunction does not require dose modification of nivolumab.
- Monitor for hyperglycemia. If severe, withhold therapy until metabolic control achieved. If life-threatening, permanently discontinue nivolumab.

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Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

US Brand Names ⬆