Cancer therapy
Cancer immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors
Also known as: Pembrolizumab, nivolumab
Best time
Morning infusions
- 08:00–12:00
Several studies link morning immunotherapy infusions with longer survival than late-day infusions.
Emerging evidence
Promising early or observational research — not yet standard practice everywhere.
Why this time works
Immune cells traffic between blood, lymph nodes and tissues on a daily rhythm. Retrospective studies in melanoma and lung cancer, and a recent randomised trial in lung cancer, found infusions earlier in the day associated with better outcomes. Guidelines haven't yet changed.
Body rhythm involved
T-cell trafficking to lymph nodes follows a circadian rhythm.