Atezolizumab
Atezolizumab works by binding to the protein PD-L1 on the surface of some cancer cells, which keeps cancer cells from suppressing the immune system. This allows the immune system to attack and kill the cancer cells. Atezolizumab is a type of immunotherapy drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Atezolizumab is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
- Alveolar soft part sarcoma that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery. Atezolizumab is used alone in adults and children aged 2 years and older.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery. Atezolizumab is used with bevacizumab in patients who have not received systemic therapy.
- Melanoma that has a certain mutation in the BRAF gene. Atezolizumab is used with cobimetinib fumarate and vemurafenib in adults whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery.
- Non-small cell lung cancer. Atezolizumab is used:
- alone after surgery and platinum chemotherapy in adults with stage IIA, stage IIB, or stage IIIA cancer that has the PD-L1 protein
- alone as the first treatment in adults whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body, has the PD-L1 protein, and does not have a mutation in the EGFR gene or the ALK gene
- with bevacizumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin or paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation and carboplatin as the first treatment in adults with non-squamous cancer that does not have a mutation in the EGFR gene or ALK gene that has spread to other parts of the body
- with paclitaxel albumin-stabilized nanoparticle formulation and carboplatin as the first treatment in patients with non-squamous cancer that does not have an abnormal EGFR gene or ALK gene and has spread to other parts of the body
- in adults whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body and got worse during or after treatment with platinum chemotherapy
Atezolizumab is used for patients with cancer that has a mutation in the EGFR gene or ALK gene if their cancer has worsened after treatment with FDA-approved therapy for these mutations.
- Small cell lung cancer. Atezolizumab is used with carboplatin and etoposide as the first treatment in adults with extensive-stage cancer.
Atezolizumab is given by infusion. It is available in a different form, combined with hyaluronidase, that is given subcutaneously. For more information, see the Drug Information Summary for Atezolizumab and Hyaluronidase-tqjs.
Atezolizumab is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Atezolizumab
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
MedlinePlus Information on Atezolizumab - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Research Results and Related Resources
Trial Results Confirm Effectiveness of Atezolizumab Against a Rare Sarcoma
Study Identifies a Potential Cause of Immunotherapy’s Heart-Related Side Effects
Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer
Cancer Immunotherapies Don’t Work for Everyone: HLA Gene May Explain Why
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Atezolizumab - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.