In March 2015, the FDA granted approval for Nivolumab (Opdivo) for the treatment of patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed after treatment with chemotherapy.
Nivolumab works by enhancing the ability of the immune system to fight and destroy cancer cells (see:" Keytruda – a new anti-cancer drug").
Nivolumab is already on the market to treat advanced melanoma skin cancer that can't be surgically removed and isn't responding to other drugs.
Its new approval was based on the results of a study showing that squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving Nivolumab lived longer than those receiving standard chemotherapy.
Yet, in Israel, the drug is still not approved by the drug panel as state-subsidized for the treatment of this lung cancer patients' subgroup. In any case, its use should be specifically discussed with the oncology physician.