What is Imfinzi (durvalumab) for?
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of people with:
locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer)
who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy
who have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy1
Unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy1
How does Imfinzi (durvalumab) work?
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a monoclonal antibody (a human immunoglobulin G1 kappa (IgG1κ) monoclonal antibody) — a type of protein that has been designed to recognise and attach to a specific structure, found in certain cells in the body. Durvalumab has been designed to attach to a receptor called PD-1, found on certain cells of the immune system called T cells. Cancer cells can produce proteins (PD-L1 and PD-L2) that attach to this receptor and, in this way, switch off the T cells. By attaching to the receptor, durvalumab prevents cancer cells from switching off T cells, thereby increasing the ability of the immune system to kill cancer cells1.
Where has Imfinzi (durvalumab) been approved?
Imfinzi (durvalumab) was approved by:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA:
May 1, 2017, with an accelerated approval for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer) in patients who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy; or who have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy2
February 16, 2018, for unresectable, stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy3.
Please note that this medicine may have also been approved in other regions than the ones we’ve listed. If you have a question about its approval in a specific country feel free to contact our support team.
How is Imfinzi (durvalumab) taken?
The standard dosage is:
10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (for both indications)
Complete information about Imfinzi (durvalumab) dosage and administration can be found in the official prescribing information listed in our resources section1.
Note: Please consult with your treating doctor for personalised dosing.
Are there any known side effects of Imfinzi (durvalumab)?
Common side effects
Urothelial carcinoma
The most common side effects listed in the prescribing information include1:
fatigue
musculoskeletal pain
constipation
decreased appetite
nausea
peripheral edema
urinary tract infection.
Unresectable, stage III NSCLC
The most common side effects listed in the prescribing information include1:
cough
fatigue
pneumonitis/radiation pneumonitis
upper respiratory tract infections
dyspnea
rash.
Serious side effects
The serious side effects listed in the prescribing information include1:
immune-mediated pulmonitis
immune-mediated hepatitis
immune-mediated colitis
immune-mediated endocrinopathies
immune-mediated nephritis
immune-mediated dermatologic reactions
infections
infusion related reactions.
Use in a specific population
It can be fatal for a fetus, it is advised to avoid pregnancies and breastfeeding1.
For a comprehensive list of side effects and adverse reactions please refer to the official prescribing information1.
