ATEZOLIZUMAB
Background and Date of Approval
Atezolizumab is an anticancer medication in the class of Programmed death ligand 1 inhibitors (PD-L1). It received regulatory approval for medical use in 2016.
Uses
Atezolizumab is indicated for various types of cancer as a monotherapy and also along with other anticancer medications. It is usually prescribed to treat urothelial carcinoma, liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and melanoma.
How is it administered?
Atezolizumab Injection is intended for intravenous administration. Your physician will inject this medicine as an infusion for the first 60 minutes and if it is well tolerated, the subsequent infusions will be administered for 30 minutes. Atezolizumab Injection is available as a single-use vial in doses 840mg/14ml and 1200mg/20ml. The ideal dosing for urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell and small cell lung cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma, and melanoma is 840mg every two weeks, 1200mg every 3 weeks, or 1680mg every four weeks.
Side Effects
The most common side effects associated with administration of Atezolizumab Injection are tiredness, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, cough, and breathlessness. When administered in combination with other anticancer drugs for treating lung cancer, a person is more likely to experience adverse reactions of hair loss, constipation, diarrhea, high blood pressure, proteinuria, and swelling.
Warnings
Immune-mediated reactions are quite common in patients undergoing Atezolizumab therapy. The reaction may vary according to the individual. Your healthcare provider will conduct regular blood tests to check how the medicine is working in your body and monitor its effects on major organs. Report to your physician immediately if you experience severe cough, chest pain or breathlessness.
Precautions
Atezolizumab Injection can cause harm to an unborn baby. Hence, it is advisable for both men and women to follow proper contraceptive methods if they are planning to have a baby in the near future. Continue contraception for 5 months after the last dose of Atezolizumab Injection. Avoid breastfeeding your baby while you are on the treatment as it is not known if Atezolizumab passes into the breast milk.
Word of Advice
Atezolizumab injection may cause immune-mediated reactions during or after treatment. Inform your doctor immediately if you develop any skin reactions or allergies. Should infusion-related reactions occur, your doctor may reduce the infusion rate or discontinue the medication.
References
Genentech, Inc., [Revised on 2021] [Accessed on 6th Aug 2022], https://www.gene.com/download/pdf/tecentriq_prescribing.pdf US Food & Drug Administration, [Accessed on 6th Aug 2022], https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/atezolizumab-tecentriq Abdul Aleem, Hiral Shah, Statpearls [Internet], [Revised on May 2022], [Accessed on 6th Aug 2022], https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567758/ Drugs.com, [Revised on May 2022], [Accessed on 6th Aug 2022], https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/effective-atezolizumab-tecentriq-3552927/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Atezolizumab used for?
Atezolizumab is indicated for various types of cancer as a monotherapy and also along with other anticancer medications. It effectively treats urothelial carcinoma, liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, triple negative breast cancer and melanoma.
Is Atezolizumab chemotherapy or immunotherapy?
Atezolizumab is an immunotherapy treatment. It is a monoclonal antibody that acts against PD-L1 to exhibit specific toxic effects on cancer cells.
How good is Atezolizumab?
Atezolizumab has a better survival rate of 12.3 months compared to other anticancer treatments like chemotherapy.
Does Atezolizumab cause hair loss?
Atezolizumab has the tendency to cause hair loss. However, hair loss is more common among people who take this medicine along with other chemotherapy medications to treat lung cancer.
How long can you stay on immunotherapy?
Many people stay on immunotherapy for about two years. The duration of immunotherapy depends on the stage of cancer and how well one responds to the treatment.
What type of cancers do Atezolizumab treat?
Atezolizumab is prescribed to treat urothelial carcinoma, liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, triple negative breast cancer and melanoma.
Can you breastfeed during Atezolizumab treatment?
It is unknown whether Atezolizumab passes into the breast milk. However, it is advisable to avoid breastfeeding your baby during and 5 months after the last dose of this treatment.