Yervoy (Ipilimumab) for Kidney Cancer

Overview
Yervoy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in adults who are considered intermediate- or poor-risk. It is used as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab, another immunotherapy. Yervoy is not approved as a standalone treatment for RCC. Yervoy is also known by its drug name, ipilimumab.

Ipilimumab is a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) blocking antibody. It works by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. When used with nivolumab, which blocks a different immune checkpoint known as programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1), the combination enhances the immune response against kidney cancer.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Yervoy is given by intravenous (IV) infusion in combination with nivolumab every three weeks for a total of four doses. After completing the four-dose combination, nivolumab may be continued on its own. The drug should be administered exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Yervoy when used in combination with nivolumab include fatigue, diarrhea, pruritus (itching), rash, nausea, musculoskeletal pain (pain in the muscles, bones, or joints), pyrexia (fever), cough, decreased appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspnea (shortness of breath), upper respiratory tract infection, arthralgia (joint pain), headache, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), constipation, weight loss, and dizziness.

Rare but serious side effects may include immune-mediated colitis (inflammation of the colon), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), dermatologic reactions (severe skin conditions), endocrinopathies (hormonal gland disorders), pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs), and nephritis with renal dysfunction (inflammation of the kidneys that affects their ability to function). Other serious risks include infusion-related reactions (reactions during or shortly after infusion), complications following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and embryo-fetal toxicity (harm to an unborn baby).

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Label: Yervoy — Ipilimumab Injection — DailyMed