Opdivo (Nivolumab) vs Libtayo (cemiplimab)

Opdivo (nivolumab) and Libtayo (cemiplimab) are both immune checkpoint inhibitors, but they target different proteins; nivolumab blocks PD-1, while cemiplimab targets PD-1 as well. Opdivo has been approved for a wider range of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer, and has a longer track record as it was approved earlier. Libtayo is relatively newer and has been specifically approved for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, with ongoing research for its efficacy in other types of cancer. When deciding which medication is right for an individual, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to consider the specific type of cancer, the drug's efficacy, patient's health condition, and potential side effects.

Difference between Opdivo and Libtayo

Metric	Opdivo (Nivolumab)	Libtayo (cemiplimab)
Generic name	Nivolumab	Cemiplimab
Indications	Various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, and others	Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Mechanism of action	PD-1 inhibitor that enhances T-cell function and anti-tumor response	PD-1 inhibitor that enhances T-cell function and anti-tumor response
Brand names	Opdivo	Libtayo
Administrative route	Intravenous infusion	Intravenous infusion
Side effects	Fatigue, rash, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, pruritus, diarrhea, decreased appetite, cough, dyspnea, constipation, vomiting, and others	Fatigue, rash, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, pruritus, constipation, nausea, edema, cough, and others
Contraindications	Severe hypersensitivity to nivolumab or any of its excipients	Severe hypersensitivity to cemiplimab or any of its excipients
Drug class	Immune checkpoint inhibitor, PD-1 inhibitor	Immune checkpoint inhibitor, PD-1 inhibitor
Manufacturer	Bristol-Myers Squibb	Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Sanofi

Efficacy

Efficacy of Opdivo (Nivolumab) in Lung Cancer Treatment

Opdivo (nivolumab) is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including lung cancer. Specifically, for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Opdivo has shown significant efficacy in improving survival rates in patients with advanced disease. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Opdivo can extend overall survival compared to traditional chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC who have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Additionally, Opdivo is also indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with progression after platinum-based chemotherapy and at least one other line of therapy.

Opdivo works by inhibiting the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, which can help restore the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. The efficacy of Opdivo in lung cancer has been supported by a range of clinical studies, including the CheckMate-017 and CheckMate-057 trials, which demonstrated improved overall survival in previously treated NSCLC patients compared to docetaxel. The CheckMate-032 study further supported its use in SCLC after the failure of first-line therapy.

Efficacy of Libtayo (Cemiplimab) in Lung Cancer Treatment

Libtayo (cemiplimab) is a relatively newer PD-1 inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC with ≥50% PD-L1 expression, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have no EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 aberrations. Libtayo has shown significant efficacy in clinical trials, particularly in patients with high PD-L1 expression. The pivotal trial that led to its approval for this indication, the EMPOWER-Lung 1 study, demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival when compared to chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC and a PD-L1 expression of 50% or more.

Libtayo's mechanism of action is similar to that of Opdivo, as it also targets the PD-1 pathway, enhancing the immune system's ability to fight cancer. The EMPOWER-Lung 1 trial's results indicate that Libtayo is a promising treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC, particularly those with high levels of PD-L1 expression. The efficacy data from this study suggest that Libtayo can offer a valuable treatment alternative for patients with limited options due to the specific characteristics of their cancer.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Opdivo

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Health Canada
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Japan
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
Medsafe (NZ)

Libtayo

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Health Canada

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