The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system

BackgroundNivolumab, a human immunoglobulin IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1 receptor, received initial FDA approval in 2014 for treating unresectable or metastatic malignant melanoma (MM), followed by approval for metastatic squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 201...

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Main Authors: Yutong Wu, Yue Zhou, Shiyue Xia, Zhaoyou Meng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1605958/full
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author Yutong Wu
Yue Zhou
Shiyue Xia
Zhaoyou Meng
author_facet Yutong Wu
Yue Zhou
Shiyue Xia
Zhaoyou Meng
author_sort Yutong Wu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundNivolumab, a human immunoglobulin IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1 receptor, received initial FDA approval in 2014 for treating unresectable or metastatic malignant melanoma (MM), followed by approval for metastatic squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2015. With expanding clinical applications of nivolumab, comprehensive evaluation of its safety profile in real-world healthcare settings becomes increasingly crucial.MethodsWe compiled a real-world safety dataset of nivolumab from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, encompassing reports from Q4–2014 through Q2 2024. To evaluate the association between nivolumab and adverse events (AEs), we employed four distinct disproportionality analysis methods: Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS) and Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN). Additionally, we utilized Weibull distribution modeling to characterize the temporal risk patterns of identified adverse events.ResultsOur analysis identified 64,627 AEs reports associated with nivolumab. The most frequently reported AEs included fatigue, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, cough, nausea, and constipation. Notably, we detected several potential safety signals not currently listed in the prescribing information: Malignant neoplasm progression, weight decreased, sepsis myocarditis, encephalitis and hypotension.ConclusionsOur large-scale pharmacovigilance study identified significant safety signals associated with nivolumab, including previously unrecognized adverse drug reactions. The identification of these safety signals underscores the importance of ongoing post-marketing surveillance for immune checkpoint inhibitors. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations and develop targeted monitoring protocols.
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spelling doaj-art-a7c323bb94d24a60bc3e8c32bad9541c2025-08-20T03:48:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.16059581605958The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting systemYutong Wu0Yue Zhou1Shiyue Xia2Zhaoyou Meng3Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chong Qing, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chong Qing, ChinaBasic Medical College, Army Medical University, Chong Qing, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chong Qing, ChinaBackgroundNivolumab, a human immunoglobulin IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1 receptor, received initial FDA approval in 2014 for treating unresectable or metastatic malignant melanoma (MM), followed by approval for metastatic squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2015. With expanding clinical applications of nivolumab, comprehensive evaluation of its safety profile in real-world healthcare settings becomes increasingly crucial.MethodsWe compiled a real-world safety dataset of nivolumab from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, encompassing reports from Q4–2014 through Q2 2024. To evaluate the association between nivolumab and adverse events (AEs), we employed four distinct disproportionality analysis methods: Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS) and Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN). Additionally, we utilized Weibull distribution modeling to characterize the temporal risk patterns of identified adverse events.ResultsOur analysis identified 64,627 AEs reports associated with nivolumab. The most frequently reported AEs included fatigue, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, cough, nausea, and constipation. Notably, we detected several potential safety signals not currently listed in the prescribing information: Malignant neoplasm progression, weight decreased, sepsis myocarditis, encephalitis and hypotension.ConclusionsOur large-scale pharmacovigilance study identified significant safety signals associated with nivolumab, including previously unrecognized adverse drug reactions. The identification of these safety signals underscores the importance of ongoing post-marketing surveillance for immune checkpoint inhibitors. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations and develop targeted monitoring protocols.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1605958/fullnivolumabFAERSmmNSCLCpharmacovigilanceadverse events
spellingShingle Yutong Wu
Yue Zhou
Shiyue Xia
Zhaoyou Meng
The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system
Frontiers in Immunology
nivolumab
FAERS
mm
NSCLC
pharmacovigilance
adverse events
title The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system
title_full The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system
title_fullStr The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system
title_full_unstemmed The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system
title_short The real-world safety of Nivolumab: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system
title_sort real world safety of nivolumab a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the fda adverse event reporting system
topic nivolumab
FAERS
mm
NSCLC
pharmacovigilance
adverse events
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1605958/full
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