Which Checkpoint Inhibitors are available?

This directory covers 5: Keytruda, Opdivo, Tecentriq, Imfinzi, Libtayo.

Checkpoint Inhibitors (PD-1 / PD-L1)

Also called immune checkpoint inhibitors, PD-1 blockers, PD-L1 blockers

Checkpoint inhibitors are immunotherapies that take the brakes off the immune system so it can attack cancer. Tumours often survive by switching on a "checkpoint" — the PD-1 receptor on T-cells, or its partner PD-L1 on the tumour surface — which tells the immune cell to stand down. These antibodies block that handshake, letting T-cells recognise and kill the cancer. PD-1 inhibitors bind the immune cell; PD-L1 inhibitors bind the tumour side of the same interaction.

What this class is used for

Melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, kidney, bladder, head-and-neck and many other solid tumours

5 Checkpoint Inhibitors in this directory

Keytruda

Pembrolizumab

An immunotherapy antibody used across many cancers, from melanoma to lung cancer.

Opdivo

Nivolumab

A checkpoint-inhibitor immunotherapy for melanoma, lung, kidney and other cancers.

Tecentriq

Atezolizumab

A PD-L1 immunotherapy used in lung, bladder and other cancers.

Imfinzi

Durvalumab

An intravenous immunotherapy used to treat lung, biliary tract, and bladder cancers.

Libtayo

Cemiplimab

An intravenous immunotherapy used to treat advanced skin and lung cancers.

Compare Checkpoint Inhibitors side by side

Keytruda VS Opdivo Keytruda VS Tecentriq Keytruda VS Imfinzi Opdivo VS Tecentriq Opdivo VS Imfinzi Tecentriq VS Imfinzi

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Class descriptions are written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Individual drug pages combine that summary with live label, approval, manufacturer and shortage data from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API. This page is general information and is not medical advice — it is not exhaustive, drugs within a class are not automatically interchangeable, and approvals and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions. Always consult the official prescribing information and your clinician or pharmacist. Related: Drug Shortages Tracker · FDA Approvals · All drug comparisons