See the DrugPatentWatch profile for nivolumab

Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor drug used to treat several types of cancer, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. The dosing for nivolumab is not typically influenced by the patient's response to the treatment, as it is generally administered at a fixed dose and schedule.

Nivolumab is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use at a dose of 240 mg every two weeks or 480 mg every four weeks, administered intravenously over 30 minutes. This fixed dosing regimen is based on the drug's pharmacokinetic properties, which have been shown to be consistent across different patient populations and tumor types.

However, some studies have suggested that the efficacy of nivolumab may be influenced by the patient's individual immune response and tumor characteristics. For example, patients who have a higher tumor mutational burden or a higher level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression may be more likely to respond to nivolumab treatment.

Despite these findings, there is currently no evidence to suggest that adjusting the dosage of nivolumab based on a patient's response or tumor characteristics is beneficial. In fact, doing so could potentially increase the risk of toxicity or reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

In summary, the dosing of nivolumab is not typically influenced by the patient's response to the treatment. The drug is administered at a fixed dose and schedule, based on its pharmacokinetic properties. While some studies have suggested that the efficacy of nivolumab may be influenced by the patient's individual immune response and tumor characteristics, there is currently no evidence to support adjusting the dosage based on these factors.

Sources:

1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Melanoma. Version 2.2022. <https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/melanoma.pdf>
2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Version 5.2022. <https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/nscl.pdf>
3. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Renal Cell Carcinoma. Version 2.2022. <https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/renal.pdf>
4. US Food and Drug Administration. Opdivo (nivolumab) injection, for intravenous use. <https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/125557s000lbl.pdf>
5. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Nivolumab. <https://www.dana-farber.org/dana-farber-blogs/insight/nivolumab-opdivo-cancer-treatment/>
6. DrugPatentWatch. Nivolumab (Opdivo) Patent Landscape. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/nivolumab-opdivo>