About OPDIVO + YERVOY^1,2

Nivolumab (OPDIVO) is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein designed to attach to a receptor called PD-1, found on T-cells. T-cells are a type of white blood cell in the immune system that can attack cancer cells.

Some cancer cells produce proteins called PD-L1 and PD-L2, which bind to the PD-1 receptor and switch off T-cell activity, preventing them from attacking the cancer. By binding to PD-1, nivolumab blocks this interaction and helps restore T-cell activity, increasing the immune system’s ability to kill cancer cells.

Ipilimumab (YERVOY) is also a monoclonal antibody, designed to attach to a different receptor called CTLA-4, which regulates T-cell activity. By blocking CTLA-4, ipilimumab enhances the number and activity of T-cells, boosting the immune response against tumors.

References: 

1. OPDIVO SmPC.
2. YERVOY SmPC.