Bavencio Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and more
Bavencio is a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). It is a fully human anti-PD immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) lambda monoclonal antibody with antineoplastic actions. It was granted accelerated approval in March 2017 under the name Bavencio.
Bavencio is a whole antibody that binds the immunosuppressive programmed death-ligand 1 and inhibits the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. It prevents the formation of a PD-1/PD-L1 receptor/ligand complex that normally leads to inhibition of CD8+ T cells, and therefore inhibition of an immune reaction. Alevumab is an immunotherapeutic and antineoplastic agent that belongs to the group of immune checkpoint blockade cancer therapies. By retaining a native Fc-region, avelumab is thought to engage the innate immune system and may induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).
| Trade Name | Bavencio |
| Availability | Prescription only |
| Generic | Avelumab |
| Avelumab Other Names | Avelumab |
| Related Drugs | Keytruda, pembrolizumab, Avastin, bevacizumab, Opdivo, nivolumab, atezolizumab, Afinitor, mitomycin, Bavencio |
| Weight | 20mg/ml, |
| Type | Infusion, Intravenous Solution |
| Formula | C6374H9898N1694O2010S44 |
| Weight | 142.0 Da (approximate including glycans) |
| Protein binding | None reported. |
| Groups | Approved, Investigational |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | Merck - Pfizer |
| Available Country | Australia, United Kingdom, United States, |
| Last Updated: | January 7, 2025 at 1:49 am |
Uses
Bavencio is a monoclonal antibody used to treat metastatic merkel cell carcinoma, metastatic urothelial carcinoma, or renal cell carcinoma.
Indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Bavencio is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Locally advanced disease has progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy urothelial carcinoma (UC), Locally advanced disease has progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy urothelial carcinoma (UC), Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), Metastatic disease has progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy urothelial carcinoma (UC), Metastatic disease has progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy urothelial carcinoma (UC)
How Bavencio works
PD-L1 may be expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells and can contribute to the inhibition of the anti-tumor immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Binding of PD-L1 to the PD-1 and B7.1 receptors found on T cells and antigen presenting cells suppresses cytotoxic T-cell activity, T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Bavencio binds PD-L1 through the FG loops and blocks the interaction between PD-L1 and its receptors PD-1 and B7.1. This interaction releases the inhibitory effects of PD-L1 on the immune response resulting in the restoration of immune responses, including anti-tumor immune responses. Bavencio has also been shown to induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, blocking PD-L1 activity resulted in decreased tumor growth.
Toxicity
Bavencio toxicity includes the possibility of experiencing potentially fatal infusion reactions and/or immunogenic reactions like pneumonitis, hepatitis, colitis, adrenal insufficiency, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and nephritis, among others. Other common adverse effects include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, nausea, infusion-related reaction, rash, decreased appetite, and peripheral edema.
Food Interaction
No interactions found.Disease Interaction
Moderate: hepatic impairment, adrenal insufficiency, colitis, diabetes, pneumonitis, renal dysfunction, thyroid disease
Volume of Distribution
The geometric mean volume of distribution at steady state for a subject receiving 10 mg/kg is 4.72 L.
Elimination Route
The exposure of avelumab increased dose-proportionally in the dose range of 10 to 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Steady-state concentrations of avelumab were reached after approximately 4 to 6 weeks (2 to 3 cycles) of repeated dosing, and the systemic accumulation was approximately 1.25-fold.
Half Life
The terminal half-life is approximately 6.1 days in patients receiving 10 mg/kg.
Clearance
The total systemic clearance is approximately 0.59 L/day.
Elimination Route
Mainly eliminated through proteolytic degradation.
