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Chloe Giglio
Mar 19, 2025
The FDA has recently approved an injectable form of an immunotherapy (Opdivo Qvantig). Now, 30-minute IV infusions can be shortened to 5-minute subcutaneous injections with the same efficacy and safety.
In recent decades, immunotherapy has revolutionized the way we treat many cancers by helping the immune system recognize and attack tumors. One of the most widely used immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs is nivolumab (Opdivo), which traditionally has been given through an IV infusion. While effective, IV treatment can take 30–60 minutes per session, often requires patients to travel to an infusion center, and might require a surgically implanted port for delivery.
A little over a year ago, a clinical trial brought encouraging news: nivolumab can now be given as a quick injection under the skin (subcutaneous, or SC) with results just as effective as the IV version. Just last month, the FDA approved the injectable version (trade name Opdivo Qvantig). The FDA approved the injection form of nivolumab for all of its current uses, including lung, kidney, and melanoma treatment.
The CheckMate 67T phase 3 study enrolled nearly 500 patients with advanced kidney cancer. Half received standard IV nivolumab, and half received the new injection form every four weeks. Researchers measured how much drug stayed in the bloodstream, tumor response, and safety. Results showed that the injection provided equal — and in some measures slightly higher — drug levels compared to IV. Tumor response rates were similar, and side effects were consistent with the known safety profile of nivolumab. Most injection-site reactions were mild and temporary.
What this means for cancer patients:
For patients, this could mean less time in the clinic, less invasive delivery systems, and more convenience, especially for those receiving long-term treatment. Eventually, patients could receive this treatment at their oncologist's office or even in the comfort of their own homes. Although around the same price range as the IV nivolumab, costs for SC nivolumab may vary widely by insurance provider and treatment plan.
Bottom line: This new option can reduce treatment burden and give patients more time for life outside the clinic — a meaningful improvement for those managing cancer as a chronic condition. Patients should talk to their oncologist to see if subcutaneous nivolumab is an option for them. For more information on the clinical trial, read here, and check out this NIH post.