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Avelumab

Brand and Other Names: BAVENCIO®
Mechanism of Action:

Avelumab is a human anti–PD-L1 monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 and blocks its interaction with PD-1 and B7.1 receptors, thereby enhancing T-cell–mediated immune responses against tumor cells.

Indications:

Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC): Adults and children ≥12 years

Urothelial Carcinoma (UC):

  • Maintenance for patients with advanced/metastatic UC post first-line platinum chemo
  • Previously treated UC with disease progression on/after platinum therapy

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): First-line treatment (with axitinib) for advanced RCC

 

Route: intravenous
Dose:

Standard dose: 800 mg IV every 2 weeks over 60 minutes

In combination with axitinib: Same BAVENCIO dose; axitinib 5 mg orally twice daily

Premedicate with antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to the first 4 infusions

Adverse Reactions:

Common (≥20%): Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, infusion reactions, rash, nausea, diarrhea, UTI, hypertension

Serious: Immune-mediated pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, myocarditis, and infusion-related reactions

Contraindication:

None

Warnings and Precautions:

  • Immune-mediated reactions in various organs (may be severe or fatal)

  • Infusion-related reactions

  • Complications with allogeneic HSCT

  • Major cardiovascular events (especially with axitinib)

  • Embryo-fetal toxicity: use effective contraception

See package insert for full prescribing information.