Nivolumab Plus Relatlimab: First Approval

Nivolumab plus relatlimab (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw; Opdualag((TM))) is a fixed-dose, combination immunotherapy treatment being developed by Bristol Myers Squibb for the treatment of multiple types of advanced cancers. Both drugs are immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibodies developed to target immune checkpoints, with nivolumab targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor and relatlimab being a newly developed, first-in-class drug targeting the lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) protein. In March 2022, nivolumab plus relatlimab received its first approval in the USA for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adult patients and paediatric patients aged >= 12 years who weigh >= 40 kg. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of this combination therapy leading to this first approval for unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

Automated summary

Nivolumab plus relatlimab is a combination immunotherapy treatment being developed for multiple types of advanced cancers. The treatment targets immune checkpoints using monoclonal antibodies. In March 2022, it received its first approval in the USA for unresectable or metastatic melanoma.