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PD-1 Inhibitors

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Pharmacology for Nurses

Definition

PD-1 inhibitors are a class of drugs that block the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway, enhancing the immune system's ability to attack cancer cells. They are a type of immune checkpoint inhibitor used in cancer immunotherapy.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. PD-1 inhibitors help prevent cancer cells from evading the immune system.
  2. Common PD-1 inhibitors include pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo).
  3. They are primarily used to treat various cancers like melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.
  4. PD-1 inhibitors can cause side effects such as fatigue, rash, and immune-related adverse effects like colitis or pneumonitis.
  5. These drugs work by binding to PD-1 receptors on T-cells, blocking their interaction with PD-L1/PD-L2 on tumor cells.

Review Questions

  • What is the primary mechanism of action for PD-1 inhibitors?
  • Name two common PD-1 inhibitors used in clinical practice.
  • List at least two types of cancers that can be treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

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