What is Tecentriq (atezolizumab) for?
Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with:
locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have either; disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy1 or are not eligible for cisplatin chemotherapy4.
metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy1,5.
How does Tecentriq (atezolizumab) work?
Tecentriq (atezolizumab) belongs to a class of immunotherapy drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors. The drug prevents a protein called PD-L1 that is found on some tumour cells from binding to another protein, PD-1, on immune cells. The binding of these “checkpoint” proteins suppresses the immune response2. Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 and blocks its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors1. By blocking this interaction, checkpoint inhibitors “release the brakes” on the immune system, allowing immune cells to attack tumours2.
Is Tecentriq (atezolizumab) approved?
Tecentriq (atezolizumab) was approved by:
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) (USA)
on May 18, 2016, for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, with disease progression on or after prior chemotherapy2. On April 17, 2017, the FDA extended the approval to the use of Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as front-line treatment for advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in patients who are not eligible for cisplatin chemotherapy4.
on October 18, 2016, for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)3.
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (AUS)
on July 27, 2017, for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)5.
European Medicines Agency (EMA) (EU)
on September 22, 2017, for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) on patients who have been previously treated with a platinum-based chemotherapy and as front-line treatment for advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in patients who are not eligible for cisplatin chemotherapy6.
How do I take Tecentriq (atezolizumab)?
Complete information about Tecentriq (atezolizumab) dosage and administration can be found in the resources section1,5,7.
The recommended therapy consists of:
1200 mg as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 3 weeks.
Dilute prior to intravenous infusion.
Complete information about Tecentriq (atezolizumab) dosage and administration can be found in the resources section.
Consult your treating doctor for personalised dosing.
Are there any known side effects of Tecentriq (atezolizumab)?
The most common side effects (≥ 20%) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma were fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, and fever. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 20%) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer were fatigue, decreased appetite, dyspnea, cough, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, and constipation1.
For a comprehensive list of side effects and adverse reactions please refer to the official prescribing information1,5,7.
