Avelumab

Avelumab is a human IgG1 lambda monoclonal antibody that binds programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) to block its interaction with its receptors found on T cells and antigen-presenting cells. Avelumab was first approved by the FDA on March 23, 2017. On September 18 and December 18 of the same year, it was also granted approval by EMA and Health Canada, respectively. It is used in the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma, metastatic urothelial carcinoma, or renal cell carcinoma.

Avelumab is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). In the US, it is also used in patients 12 years and older.

It is also indicated as the maintenance treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC), which has not progressed with first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy. In the US, avelumab is also indicated to treat locally advanced or metastatic UC with disease progression during or after platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Avelumab is indicated, in combination with axitinib, for the first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).