Opdivo (Nivolumab) vs Beleodaq (belinostat)

Opdivo (nivolumab) is an immunotherapy drug that works by blocking the PD-1 pathway, which cancer cells often exploit to avoid being attacked by the immune system; it is used to treat various types of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer, among others. Beleodaq (belinostat) is a type of chemotherapy known as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, which works by interfering with the function of enzymes needed for cell division and is approved for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). When deciding between Opdivo and Beleodaq, it is crucial to consider the type of cancer being treated, as each medication has a different mechanism of action and is approved for different indications, and the decision should be made in consultation with an oncologist who can tailor the treatment to the patient's specific condition.

Difference between Opdivo and Beleodaq

Metric	Opdivo (Nivolumab)	Beleodaq (belinostat)
Generic name	Nivolumab	Belinostat
Indications	Various types of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancers, and others.	Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL)
Mechanism of action	Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody, which helps the immune system attack cancer cells.	HDAC inhibitor, which interferes with the growth of cancer cells by altering gene expression.
Brand names	Opdivo	Beleodaq
Administrative route	Intravenous infusion	Intravenous infusion
Side effects	Fatigue, rash, musculoskeletal pain, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, cough, dyspnea, constipation, vomiting, etc.	Nausea, fatigue, fever, anemia, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
Contraindications	Severe hypersensitivity to nivolumab or any of its excipients.	Severe hypersensitivity to belinostat or any of its components.
Drug class	Immune checkpoint inhibitor	HDAC inhibitor
Manufacturer	Bristol Myers Squibb	Spectrum Pharmaceuticals

Efficacy

Efficacy of Opdivo (Nivolumab) in Treating Lymphoma

Opdivo (nivolumab) is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of various types of cancer, including lymphoma. Specifically, it has shown efficacy in treating classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after two or more lines of systemic therapy in patients who are not ASCT candidates. Clinical trials have demonstrated that nivolumab can produce a significant response rate in these patients, with some achieving complete remission. The effectiveness of Opdivo for the treatment of cHL is supported by the overall response rate and duration of response observed in clinical studies.

Efficacy of Beleodaq (Belinostat) in Treating Lymphoma

Beleodaq (belinostat) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). This approval is based on the results of a multicenter, single-arm clinical trial where the efficacy was evaluated in terms of overall response rate (ORR), which includes complete and partial responses. The results from the clinical trial have shown that belinostat can induce responses in a subset of patients with PTCL, providing a treatment option for patients with this aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma who have limited treatment choices after previous therapies have failed.

Comparison of Efficacy in Lymphoma Treatment

When comparing the efficacy of Opdivo and Beleodaq in the context of lymphoma treatment, it is important to note that they are used to treat different types of lymphoma and their efficacy can vary based on the disease subtype and patient characteristics. Opdivo has been primarily studied and used in cHL, while Beleodaq has been focused on PTCL. Both medications have shown promise in their respective indications by improving patient outcomes, but direct comparison is not feasible due to the distinct nature of the lymphomas they treat.

Considerations and Ongoing Research

While the current data supports the efficacy of both Opdivo and Beleodaq in treating certain types of lymphoma, ongoing research is critical to fully understand their long-term efficacy and safety profiles. Additionally, studies are being conducted to explore the potential of these drugs in other lymphoma subtypes and in combination with other therapies. Healthcare professionals should continue to monitor the latest research findings to optimize treatment strategies for lymphoma patients based on the most current evidence.

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)

Beleodaq

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

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