(Bladder Cancer) Roche's Tecentriq (Atezolizumab) Anti-PD-L1
Medical Supporter — Information Notice
This article is a summary of international medical information and is not medical advice; it cannot replace the diagnosis or treatment plan of your attending physician. The medical technologies, drug information and clinical data presented here are compiled from public literature and official statements of major Japanese medical institutions; the applicability and outcome of any therapy vary with each patient and must be assessed individually by a qualified physician.
- October 21, 2016
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In May, Roche's PD-L1 drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab) received FDA approval as a second-line treatment for bladder cancer. This drug is not limited to bladder cancer — the recent Phase 3 OAK trial also demonstrated efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with results comparable to Merck's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) or Opdivo (nivolumab), both of which are anti-PD-1 agents.
The OAK trial enrolled patients with NSCLC who had progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy, with docetaxel as the comparator arm. For those interested, the detailed data published by the company is available online.
PD-L1 Expression and Treatment Response
One important note: as an anti-PD-L1 drug, higher PD-L1 expression levels in the body are associated with better treatment outcomes. In simple terms, the more PD-L1 expression, the better Tecentriq's efficacy. Testing for MSI (microsatellite instability) status can provide relevant information.
Obtaining the Drug
Medical Supporter recommends that patients work with their physicians to obtain a legitimate prescription for legal importation and use. Drug procurement and administration should always be based on physician evaluation and prescription. There are reportedly some vendors importing these drugs from Japan or other countries for resale — patients should be aware of proper storage conditions during transport and whether the supplying medical institution is trustworthy.
Tags: #BladderCancer #LungCancer #Immunotherapy
- Clinical trial drug
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