Which Medications Treat Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?
Several types of medication may be used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). What’s recommended for you depends on the stage of cancer and other factors.
Imfinzi
Used for Bile Duct Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Used for Bile Duct Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is an immunotherapy medication used to treat several types of cancer, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, and endometrial cancer. It's given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional, usually every 2 to 4 weeks depending on the treatment plan. The medication is also often used together with other anticancer medications. Common side effects include tiredness, cough, and nausea.
What is Imfinzi (durvalumab)?
What is Imfinzi (durvalumab) used for?
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- Advanced or metastatic bile duct cancer
- Liver cancer when surgery isn't an option
- Advanced endometrial cancer
- Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)
- Stomach cancer that can be removed with surgery
How Imfinzi (durvalumab) works
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is an immunotherapy that helps your immune system fight cancer, specifically a PD-L1 inhibitor. Cancer cells can use a protein called PD-L1 to “turn off” your immune cells so they don’t attack the tumor.
Imfinzi (durvalumab) works by blocking PD-L1. This helps turn your immune cells back on so they can find and attack cancer cells.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Imfinzi |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | PD-L1 inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Imfinzi (durvalumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- High blood sugar (52%)
- Low calcium levels (46%)
- Low white blood cell count (43%)
- Cough (40%)
- Rise in liver enzymes (up to 39%)
- Lung inflammation (34%)
- Fatigue (34%)
- Low sodium levels (33%)
- High potassium levels (32%)
- Upper respiratory tract infections (26%)
- Shortness of breath (25%)
- Rash (23%)
Note: Side effects above were reported in people with NSCLC who took Imfinzi (durvalumab) alone
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- Fever
- Itching
- Low thyroid levels
- Stomach pain
- Hoarseness
- Painful urination
- Night sweats
- Swelling in the arms and legs
- Infections
Imfinzi (durvalumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Immune-related side events: rash, blisters, skin peeling, diarrhea, trouble breathing, coughing, chest pain, severe stomach pain, mucus or blood in stool, headache, reduced appetite
- Infusion-related reactions: chills, fever, itching, rash, trouble breathing, flushing, dizziness, fainting, back or neck pain
The following Imfinzi (durvalumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge with blurry or decreased vision
- Heart muscle inflammation—unusual weakness or fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands
- Hormone gland problems—headache, sensitivity to light, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, increased sensitivity to cold or heat, excessive sweating, constipation, hair loss, increased thirst or amount of urine, tremors or shaking, irritability
- Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Kidney injury (glomerulonephritis)—decrease in the amount of urine, red or dark brown urine, foamy or bubbly urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, change in vision, confusion or trouble speaking, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, seizures
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Skin rash
Pros and cons of Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Pros
- Used for multiple cancer types
- Only need one infusion every 3 to 4 weeks
- Can be combined with other treatments
Cons
- Requires IV infusions
- Commonly causes fatigue and rash
- Can cause immune-related side effects
Pharmacist tips for Imfinzi (durvalumab)
- You’ll receive Imfinzi (durvalumab) as an IV infusion at a clinic or infusion center, typically once every 3 to 4 weeks.
- The Imfinzi (durvalumab) infusion usually takes about 1 hour. Your visit might be longer if you’re getting other treatments or need monitoring afterward. Wear comfortable clothes and bring snacks or something to do.
- Imfinzi (durvalumab) can cause immune-related side effects. Tell your oncology team if you have new or worsening symptoms like trouble breathing, rash, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, headache, fast heartbeat, or reduced appetite. Your treatment could be paused if symptoms are severe.
- Immune-related side effects from Imfinzi (durvalumab) can happen anytime and affect different parts of your body. You’ll need regular blood tests to help check for these problems.
- Let your care team know right away if you have signs of an infusion reaction during or after Imfinzi (durvalumab), such as chills, rash, trouble breathing, dizziness, fever, or pain in your back or neck.
- Pregnancy: Imfinzi (durvalumab) can harm an unborn baby. If you can get pregnant, use reliable birth control during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose.
- Breastfeeding: Don’t breastfeed while taking Imfinzi (durvalumab) and for 3 months after your last dose.
Risks and warnings for Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Immune-related side effects
Imfinzi (durvalumab) works by turning on your immune system to fight cancer, but this can sometimes cause your immune system to attack healthy parts of your body. These are called immune-related side effects and they can happen at any time, even after you stop treatment. They most often affect the lungs, gut, liver, skin, and thyroid, but can happen anywhere.
Your oncology care team will check your health with regular blood tests. Tell them right away if you notice symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, yellowing of your skin, rash, or unusual tiredness. Early treatment is important and might include medications like steroids or pausing or stopping Imfinzi (durvalumab).
Infusion-related reactions
Some people had reactions during the Imfinzi (durvalumab) infusion, and in rare cases they can be life-threatening. Tell your care team right away if you have chills, flushing, trouble breathing, itching, or dizziness during the infusion.
Your care team will pause the infusion and treat your symptoms. Once you feel better, they could restart it at a slower rate. They might also give you medications before future doses to help prevent another reaction.
Complications from stem cell transplants
Risk factors: People who have received a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant
If you’ve had a stem cell transplant, talk to your oncology team before starting Imfinzi (durvalumab). Using this type of immunotherapy before or after a transplant can lead to serious, and sometimes life-threatening, problems.
These can include graft-versus-host disease (when the new immune system attacks your body) and liver problems. Because of these risks, your oncologist will discuss careful monitoring or other treatment options with you.
Harm to unborn baby
Imfinzi (durvalumab) hasn’t been studied in pregnant people, but it might harm or cause loss of an unborn baby based on animal studies. If you can become pregnant, your oncologist will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment. Use birth control during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose.
Imfinzi (durvalumab) dosage
Typical dosage for Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Your oncology team will determine your dose and how often you receive it based on your type of cancer. You might also get other medications, like Imjudo (tremelimumab) or chemotherapy as part of your treatment.
In general, for adults weighing 66 lbs or more:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- That can be removed by surgery: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 3 to 4 weeks.
- That can't be removed by surgery: The typical dose is 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks OR 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 4 weeks.
- Metastatic NSCLC: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks.
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 3 weeks to 4 weeks
- Bile duct cancer: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 3 weeks for up to 8 cycles, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks.
- Liver cancers: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 4 weeks.
- Endometrial cancer: The typical dose is 1,120 mg infused through a vein every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks.
- Bladder cancer
- Before surgery: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 3 weeks for 4 cycles.
- After surgery: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 8 weeks.
- Stomach cancer
- Before surgery: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 4 weeks for up to 2 cycles.
- After surgery: The typical dose is 1,500 mg infused through a vein every 4 weeks for up to 2 cycles, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks.
Your dose will be different if you weigh less than 66 lbs.
What are alternatives to Imfinzi (durvalumab)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Imfinzi (durvalumab). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Imfinzi (durvalumab)
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