Nivolumab (Opdivo)

Nivolumab (Opdivo) is an immunotherapy medication used to treat certain types of cancer. It works by helping the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Normally, cancer cells can evade immune detection by turning off immune signals. Nivolumab blocks a protein called PD-1, which tumors use to hide from immune cells. By blocking PD-1, Nivolumab enhances the immune response against cancer, potentially shrinking tumors or slowing their growth. It’s used in conditions like melanoma, lung, kidney, and other cancers, often when other treatments have not been effective.