BAVENCIO avelumab

Drug Class

PD-L1 blocking antibody

Mechanism

Avelumab binds to PD-L1 and blocks the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 receptors, releasing PD-L1-mediated inhibition of immune responses.

Approved Indication

Maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) that has not progressed on first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy; treatment of patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in combination with axitinib.

What This Means For Patients

Bavencio (avelumab) is an immunotherapy targeting PD-L1 used for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma. It helps reactivate the body's immune system to identify and fight cancer cells. Eligible patients can access this medication in the Boao Lecheng pilot zone before its official mainland China launch.

Regulatory Approvals

• FDA — approved (2017) — label
• EMA — approved (2017) — source

Pivotal Clinical Evidence

• JAVELIN Bladder 100 — Powles et al., N Engl J Med 2020 (NCT02603432) — DOI

Sources

• https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/209184s011lbl.pdf
• https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/bavencio
• https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2002788