How effective is the use of Nivolumab against bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer is considered as the most common types of cancer and is likely to affect men more than women. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Nivolumab for the treatment of patients who have bladder cancer. The combination of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab was evaluated in an appearance I clinical trial. In a recent research, 41 patients were treated with a Nivolumab 1mg/kg plus Ipilimumab 3mg/kg dose, out of which doctors got few positive and good results.
Nivolumab is used for the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer among patients whose disease has gotten worse. The FDA approval given to use Nivolumab for the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer was on the basis of the results of Nivolumab clinical trial, which gave positive results. Nivolumab clinical trial was done on 270 patients who were suffering from advanced or metastatic bladder cancer that had worsened over time. 19% of these patients who received Nivolumab had tumor shrinkage for a median of 10.3 months. Out of 53 patients who had tumor shrinkage, 7 patients had complete tumor shrinkage and 46 patients who had partial tumor shrinkage.
Nivolumab functions by releasing a protein called Pd-1 on cancer-fighting immune cells called T cells. Once Nivolumab releases PD-1 protein, T cells can destroy the cancer cells.
Implications of Nivolumab
As there were few options available for treatment of metastatic bladder cancer, doctors started using Nivolumab soon after Nivolumab clinical trial results were approved by FDA. In contrast to typical short-lived responses with cancer therapy in solid metastatic tumors, many responses induced by Nivolumab appear persistent. These persistent results only increased the use of Nivolumab for people who have metastatic bladder cancer.
Note of caution
If a patient is or was on some prescribed drug or has used some herbal products, then he/she must tell this to the doctor before using Nivolumab. Although Nivolumab clinical trial results are positive and FDA-approved, there are many drugs and over-the-counter medicines, which can interact with Nivolumab and deteriorate the situation.
