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Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), a class of drugs designed to help the immune system fight cancer. ICIs work by blocking specific proteins, called checkpoints, that normally prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells. Cancer cells can exploit these checkpoints to evade detection.1

Nivolumab, along with other ICIs like pembrolizumab, targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway. These drugs were developed after researchers understood how checkpoints limit the activity of T-cells, a key component of the immune response.1

ICIs have revolutionized cancer treatment, offering durable remissions and potential cures for some patients with advanced cancers, a significant improvement over previous treatments.1

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