(a-VEL-yoo-mab)
Avelumab is a type of drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor. It works by binding to the protein PD-L1 on the surface of some cancer cells, which keeps cancer cells from suppressing the immune system. This allows the immune system to attack the cancer cells.
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Avelumab is approved to treat:
- Merkel cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) that has spread. It is used in adults and in children aged 12 years and older.
- Renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. It is used with axitinib as the first treatment.
- Urothelial cancer (a type of cancer in the bladder or urinary tract) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. It is used:
- As maintenance therapy in patients whose cancer did not get worse after first-line platinum chemotherapy.
- In patients whose cancer got worse during or after treatment with platinum chemotherapy.
Avelumab is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Avelumab
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary – Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
More About Avelumab – A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Research Results and Related Resources
Groundbreaking Trial Results Expand Treatment Options for Some People with Bladder Cancer Effects
Study Identifies a Potential Cause of Immunotherapy’s Heart-Related Side Effects
Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer
Cancer Immunotherapies Don’t Work for Everyone: HLA Gene May Explain Why
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Avelumab – Check for trials from NCI’s list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.
