Nivolumab is an anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor that blocks the PD-1 pathway to enhance antitumor T-cell activity, and it has been studied across multiple solid tumors. A key recent theme is dose de-escalation: ultra-low-dose nivolumab was hypothesized to retain clinical efficacy in relapsed/refractory solid tumors, suggesting preserved activity even at reduced exposure (PMID:41604598). It is used in perioperative and metastatic settings, including esophageal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic colorectal cancer, muscle invasive bladder cancer, non small cell lung cancer, and unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent literature also highlights combination strategies with ipilimumab or binimetinib, and biomarker/context-specific effects such as benefit in PD-L1-positive tumors and immune-related toxicity patterns like hyperthyroidism. Overall, nivolumab remains a broadly deployed PD-1 inhibitor with expanding evidence in neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and combination regimens, including trials such as CheckMate 577, NIVOLEP, and NASIR-HCC.
Solid Tumors and Combination Therapy
- Nivolumab-based combinations with ipilimumab or binimetinib were compared in metastatic colorectal cancer, including microsatellite-stable and microsatellite-instability-high disease in a systematic review/meta-analysis. (PMID:41934582)
- Ultra-low-dose nivolumab was evaluated in a phase III superiority randomized trial in relapsed/refractory solid tumors, supporting the hypothesis that efficacy may be retained at very low dose. (PMID:41604598)
- The drug was used in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with outcomes analyzed in relation to baseline vitamin D status. (PMID:41981174)
- Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy was associated with hyperthyroidism in a real-world cohort, with nivolumab among the agents more commonly used in affected patients. (PMID:42012269)
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Nivolumab plus ipilimumab was evaluated for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in CheckMate 9DW. (PMID:41981891)
- Neoadjuvant and adjuvant nivolumab were studied in the NIVOLEP trial for BCLC a hepatocellular carcinoma at high risk of recurrence. (PMID:41950497)
- Nivolumab was combined with selective internal radiation therapy in the NASIR-HCC trial, reflecting combined radioimmunotherapy approaches. (PMID:41851965)
- The literature also discussed nivolumab in the context of neoantigen immunogenicity after combined radioimmunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. (PMID:41851965)
Gastrointestinal and Esophageal Cancer
- In CheckMate 577, adjuvant nivolumab for esophageal/GEJ cancer showed mature overall survival data without a statistically significant benefit in the intent-to-treat population. (PMID:41960736)
- Benefit in that setting appeared restricted to PD-L1-positive tumors, highlighting biomarker-dependent activity. (PMID:41960736)
- Nivolumab-based combination regimens were assessed in metastatic colorectal cancer, including comparisons with ipilimumab and binimetinib. (PMID:41934582)
Genitourinary Cancer
- Neoadjuvant nivolumab, with or without ipilimumab, was evaluated in cisplatin-ineligible patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. (PMID:41627171)
- The Meet-URO score was originally developed in European patients receiving second-line nivolumab, underscoring its use in renal cell carcinoma treatment contexts. (PMID:42012775)