Written By: David Statman
Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma
Opdivo and Yervoy are immunotherapy drugs approved for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Used together, they help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells and have been shown to improve overall survival time for pleural mesothelioma patients.
Medically Reviewed By
Karen Ritter, RN BSN
Registered Nurse
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Important Facts About Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma
- Opdivo and Yervoy are approved as a combination therapy for unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drugs in October 2020.
- The drugs are immune checkpoint inhibitors, which means they boost the immune system to recognize cancer cells.
- Opdivo and Yervoy for mesothelioma have been shown to improve survival rates by four months compared to chemotherapy.
- These drugs may cause immune-related side effects like rashes, itching, fatigue and colitis. All side effects should be reported to a doctor immediately.
FDA Approval of Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma
The FDA approved Opdivo and Yervoy for unresectable cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Unresectable refers to cases where surgery is not a viable treatment option to help the patient. This is often the case in late-stage mesothelioma (stage 3 or stage 4).
The FDA approval came in October 2020, around 17 months after the FDA approved the NovoTTF-100L System tumor treating fields device. The FDA approved the NovoTTF-100L (now called Optune Lua) under the same conditions (unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma).
How to Get Prescribed Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma
There are three steps to follow for how to get Opdivo and Yervoy for mesothelioma:
1. Learn about the side effects of Opdivo and Yervoy. Be aware of severe side effects, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), hormone disorders (thyroid issues, diabetes), kidney problems (reduced kidney function) or severe rashes.
2. Talk to a patient advocate. This helps you learn which cancer centers nearby offer Opdivo and Yervoy for mesothelioma. Most of the top centers prescribe this treatment for eligible cases after the FDA approval.
3. See a mesothelioma specialist. If you have an unresectable case of malignant mesothelioma, then Opdivo and Yervoy may be an option. A specialist will determine the best treatment regimen for your specific needs. They will often work with your local oncologist so you can receive the systemic treatment close to home.
How Opdivo and Yervoy Work
Opdivo and Yervoy are immunotherapy drugs, meaning they enhance the immune system to respond better to cancers like mesothelioma.
More specifically, they are checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy drugs. They “take the brakes off the immune system,” as many doctors describe, and allow the body’s defenses to identify and attack mesothelioma cells.
T-cells are specialized immune cells that help the body find and destroy cancer. However, mesothelioma cells can use certain proteins to evade detection, effectively hiding from T-cells and preventing the immune system from deploying a strong attack.
Opdivo and Yervoy prevent mesothelioma cells from hiding from T-cells, making it easier for the T-cells to find and attack the cancer.
What Is Opdivo?
Opdivo is the brand name for nivolumab, a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy drug. It works by blocking the PD-L1 protein on the mesothelioma cells from binding to the PD-1 protein on T-cells. By blocking this connection, it allows the immune system to find and fight mesothelioma.
PD-1 stands for “programmed cell death protein 1.” It’s a protein on T-cells that controls immune response by suppressing T-cell activity, preventing T-cells from attacking healthy cells.
PD-L1 stands for “programmed death-ligand 1.” It’s a protein found on some cancer cells, like mesothelioma, that binds with PD-1 to switch off the T-cells. Overexpression of PD-L1 on mesothelioma cells can subdue the immune response.
Opdivo is a wall that blocks PD-1 from binding with PD-L1. Keeping the proteins separated allows the immune system to respond properly to mesothelioma cells – identifying and attacking the cancer.
What Is Yervoy?
Yervoy is the brand name for ipilimumab, a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy drug. Yervoy blocks different proteins than Opdivo.
Yervoy works by blocking a protein receptor called CTLA4, which is found on the surface of T-cells that normally bind with B7 proteins. These regulate the immune response so the immune system does not continue to attack healthy cells.
Yervoy blocks CTLA-4, preventing CTLA-4 from binding to B7. This allows B7 proteins to continue to activate T-cells, helping the immune system mount a stronger attack against cancer cells.
Yervoy is a barrier between CTLA-4 and B7 enhancing the activity of T-cells.
Mesothelioma Survival With Opdivo and Yervoy
The FDA looks at two factors when approving or rejecting a therapy for a disease: safety and survival. The combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy was well-tolerated with hopeful mesothelioma survival rates.
The Checkmate-743 trial included 605 patients. Half received Opdivo/Yervoy and the other half received chemotherapy. This trial produced the following results:
- 18.1 months median survival for Opdivo and Yervoy
- 40.8% two-year survival for Opdivo and Yervoy
- 14.1 months median survival for chemotherapy
- 27% two-year survival for chemotherapy
During this trial, the immunotherapy patients received Opdivo every two weeks and Yervoy every six weeks for up to 2 years – the chemotherapy patients received platinum plus pemetrexed chemotherapy drugs every 3 weeks for 6 cycles.
Side Effects of Opdivo and Yervoy
Safety of a treatment is often measured in side effects. Chemotherapy’s side effects range from mild fatigue to severe nausea. Chemotherapy can also weaken bones, cause neuropathy (nerve damage in extremities), and can significantly lower red and white blood cell counts.
The side effects of Opdivo and Yervoy are usually much tamer. They include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Decreased appetite
- Rashes
- Joint or muscle pain
The more severe side effects for Opdivo and Yervoy are chest pain, shortness of breath, liver or kidney inflammation, colitis and hormone gland disorders (affecting the thyroid, pituitary, adrenals and pancreas). Doctors may end treatment if patients experience these side effects.
How to Get Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma
Receiving Opdivo and Yervoy as a treatment for mesothelioma starts with a confirmed diagnosis. This requires blood tests, imaging scans and a tissue biopsy.
If your mesothelioma is in an early stage, you may be a candidate for surgery. This may offer the best chance for long term survival, but is not always the best option. If surgery is not possible, then you can ask your doctor about Opdivo and Yervoy as a treatment option.
Your chances of receiving immunotherapy increase at a mesothelioma cancer center of excellence. These institutions are more likely to offer therapies other than chemotherapy. Some examples include:
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston
- Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston
- Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa
- UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions About Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma
Are Opdivo and Yervoy approved for mesothelioma?
Yes, Opdivo and Yervoy are approved by the FDA for malignant pleural mesothelioma. They are allowed for cases ineligible for surgical resection.
How do Opdivo and Yervoy work?
Opdivo and Yervoy are immunotherapy drugs, meaning they strengthen the immune system. They block two proteins from connecting: one on immune system cells and one on mesothelioma cells. This blockade helps the immune system target and kill mesothelioma cells.
What are the survival rates for Opdivo and Yervoy?
Opdivo and Yervoy for mesothelioma together have a median survival of 18 months for unresectable cases, which outperforms chemotherapy by four months. Nearly half of patients survive for at least two years with Opdivo and Yervoy.
Sources & Author
- FDA Approves Drug Combination for Treating Mesothelioma. Oncology Supply. Retrieved from: https://www.oncologysupply.com/news-and-events/news/fda-approves-drug-combination-for-treating-mesothelioma. Accessed: 06/15/2026.
- Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Improves OS in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancer Network. Retrieved from: https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/nivolumab-plus-ipilimumab-improves-os-in-malignant-pleural-mesothelioma. Accessed: 06/15/2026.
- Checkmate 743 shows that dual immunotherapy, nivolumab + ipilimumab improves overall survival for patients with previously untreated mesothelioma. International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Retrieved from: https://ecancer.org/en/news/18307-iaslc-wclc-2020-checkmate-743-shows-that-dual-immunotherapy-nivolumab-plus-ipilimumab-improves-overall-survival-for-patients-with-previously-untreated-mesothelioma. Accessed: 06/15/2026.
AI Summary of Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma
This page provides an in-depth overview of the use of Opdivo and Yervoy for treating mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer often linked to asbestos exposure. It explains that these two immunotherapy drugs are approved specifically for cases of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, which means surgery is no longer a viable option for the patient. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2020, Opdivo and Yervoy work together to boost the body’s immune response against cancer cells, offering new hope for individuals with advanced disease.
The page discusses how these two medications function as immune checkpoint inhibitors, which essentially remove the "brakes" on the immune system to allow T-cells to more effectively identify and attack mesothelioma cells. Opdivo, known by its generic name nivolumab, targets the PD-1 and PD-L1 proteins that cancer cells use to evade immune detection. Yervoy, or ipilimumab, targets different proteins, CTLA4 and B7, which are involved in down-regulating immune activity. Together, they help the immune system recognize and fight the cancer more effectively, which translates into improved survival rates for many patients.
Studies like the Checkmate-743 trial show promising results, with patients receiving Opdivo and Yervoy experiencing an average survival of 18 months compared to 14 months with traditional chemotherapy. Nearly half of the patients in the immunotherapy group survived for at least two years, and some even maintained their response for as long as three years after treatment. The page also highlights the use of these drugs for peritoneal mesothelioma, where recent research indicated significant improvements in survival rates and disease control. While side effects tend to be milder than those associated with chemotherapy, patients should be aware of potential symptoms such as fatigue, rashes, and difficulty breathing, and should communicate any concerns to their healthcare team.
For those interested in exploring this treatment, the page describes the process of diagnosis and how to access these medications through specialized cancer centers. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive testing and consulting with experienced specialists to determine if immunotherapy is suitable. Overall, this page aims to serve as a clear, reassuring resource for individuals and families facing mesothelioma, providing essential information about FDA-approved options that can extend and improve quality of life.