have the option Avelumab Class: Antineoplastic Agents Brands: Bavencio Overview Side Effects Dosage Professional Pregnancy More User Reviews Support Group Q & A Introduction Avelumab is an antineoplastic agent. Uses for Avelumab Avelumab has the following uses: Avelumab 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). 1 This indication is approved under accelerated approval. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. 1 Slideshow Checkpoint Inhibitors & Advanced Cancers: A Healthcare Professional's Guide Avelumab Dosage and Administration General Avelumab is available in the following dosage form(s) and strength(s): Injection: 200 mg/10 mL (20 mg/mL) solution in single-dose vial. 1 Dosage It is essential that the manufacturer's labeling be consulted for more detailed information on dosage and administration of this drug. Dosage summary: Administer 10 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks. 1 Premedicate with acetaminophen and an antihistamine for the first 4 infusions and subsequently as needed. 1 Cautions for Avelumab Contraindications None. 1 Warnings/Precautions Immune-mediated Pneumonitis Avelumab can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, including fatal cases. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis and evaluate patients with suspected pneumonitis with radiographic imaging. Administer corticosteroids (initial dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent, followed by a corticosteroid taper) for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Withhold avelumab for moderate (Grade 2) pneumonitis, and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3), life-threatening (Grade 4), or recurrent moderate (Grade 2) pneumonitis. 1 Pneumonitis occurred in 1.2% (21/1738) of patients receiving avelumab including one (0.1%) patient with Grade 5, one (0.1%) with Grade 4, and five (0.3%) with Grade 3 pneumonitis. Immune-mediated pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of avelumab in 0.3% (6/1738) of patients. Among the 21 patients with immune-mediated pneumonitis, the median time to onset was 2.5 months (range: 3 days to 11 months) and the median duration of pneumonitis was 7 weeks (range: 4 days to 4+ months). All 21 patients were treated with systemic corticosteroids; 17 (81%) of the 21 patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median of 8 days (range: 1 day to 2.3 months). Resolution of pneumonitis occurred in 12 (57%) of the 21 patients at the time of data cut-off. 1 Immune-mediated Hepatitis Avelumab can cause immune-mediated hepatitis including fatal cases. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids (initial dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent, followed by a corticosteroid taper) for Grade 2 or greater hepatitis. Withhold avelumab for moderate (Grade 2) immune-mediated hepatitis until resolution and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3), or life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated hepatitis. 1 Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 0.9% (16/1738) of patients receiving avelumab including two (0.1%) patients with Grade 5 and 11 (0.6 %) patients with Grade 3 immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of avelumab in 0.5% (9/1738) of patients. Among the 16 patients with immune-mediated hepatitis, the median time to onset was 3.2 months (range: 1 week to 15 months), and the median duration of hepatitis was 2.5 months (range: 1 day to 7.4+ months). All 16 patients were treated with corticosteroids; 15 (94%) of the 16 patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median of 14 days (range: 1 day to 2.5 months). Resolution of hepatitis occurred in nine (56%) of the 16 patients at the time of data cut-off. 1 Immune-mediated Colitis Avelumab can cause immune-mediated colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids (initial dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent followed by a corticosteroid taper) for Grade 2 or greater colitis. Withhold avelumab for moderate or severe (Grade 2 or 3) colitis until resolution. Permanently discontinue avelumab for life-threatening (Grade 4) or for recurrent (Grade 3) colitis upon re-initiation of avelumab. 1 Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.5% (26/1738) of patients receiving avelumab including seven (0.4%) patients with Grade 3 colitis. Immune-mediated colitis led to permanent discontinuation of avelumab in 0.5% (9/1738) of patients. Among the 26 patients with immune-mediated colitis, the median time to onset was 2.1 months (range: 2 days to 11 months) and the median duration of colitis was 6 weeks (range: 1 day to 14+ months). All 26 patients were treated with corticosteroids; 15 (58%) of the 26 patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median of 19 days (range: 1 day to 2.3 months). Resolution of colitis occurred in 18 (70%) of the patients at the time of data cut-off. 1 Immune-mediated Endocrinopathies Avelumab can cause immune-mediated endocrinopathies. 1 Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency during and after treatment. Administer corticosteroids as appropriate for adrenal insufficiency. Withhold avelumab for severe (Grade 3) or life threatening (Grade 4) adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.5% (8/1738) of patients receiving avelumab including one patient (0.1%) with Grade 3 adrenal insufficiency. Immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of avelumab in 0.1% (2/1738) of patients. Among the 8 patients with immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency, the median time to onset was 2.5 months (range: 1 day to 8 months). All eight patients were treated with corticosteroids; four (50%) of the eight patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median of 1 day (range: 1 day to 24 days). 1 Avelumab can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroid disorders can occur at any time during treatment. Monitor patients for changes in thyroid function at the start of treatment, periodically during treatment, and as indicated based on clinical evaluation. Manage hypothyroidism with hormone-replacement therapy. Initiate medical management for control of hyperthyroidism. Withhold avelumab for severe (Grade 3) or life threatening (Grade 4) thyroid disorders. Immune-mediated thyroid disorders occurred in 6% (98/1738) of patients receiving avelumab including 3 (0.2%) Grade 3 immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Immune-mediated thyroid disorders led to discontinuation of avelumab in 0.1% (2/1738) of patients. Hypothyroidism occurred in 90 (5%) patients, hyperthyroidism in seven (0.4%), and thyroiditis in four (0.2%) patients treated with avelumab. Among the 98 patients with immune-mediated thyroid disorders, the median time to onset was 2.8 months (range: 2 weeks to 13 months) and the median duration was not estimable (range: 6 days to more than 26 months). Immune-mediated thyroid disorders resolved in seven (7%) of the 98 patients. 1 Avelumab can cause type 1 diabetes mellitus, including diabetic ketoacidosis. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Withhold avelumab and administer anti-hyperglycemics or insulin in patients with severe or life-threatening (Grade 3) hyperglycemia. Resume treatment with avelumab when metabolic control is achieved on insulin replacement or anti-hyperglycemics. Type 1 diabetes mellitus without an alternative etiology occurred in 0.1% (2/1738) of patients including two cases of Grade 3 hyperglycemia that led to permanent discontinuation of avelumab. 1 Immune-mediated Nephritis and Renal Dysfunction Avelumab can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids (initial dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent followed by a corticosteroid taper) for Grade 2 or greater nephritis. Withhold avelumab for moderate (Grade 2) or severe (Grade 3) nephritis until resolution to Grade 1. Permanently discontinue avelumab for life-threatening (Grade 4) nephritis. 1 Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.1% (1/1738) of patients receiving avelumab; avelumab was permanently discontinued in this patient. 1 Other Immune-mediated Adverse Reactions Avelumab can result in severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. These immune-mediated reactions may involve any organ system. Most immune-mediated reactions initially manifest during avelumab treatment; however, immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur after discontinuation of avelumab. 1 For suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, evaluate to confirm or rule out an immune-mediated adverse reaction and to exclude other causes. Depending upon the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold or permanently discontinue avelumab, administer high dose corticosteroids, and if appropriate, initiate hormone replacement therapy. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper. Resume avelumab when the immune-mediated adverse reaction remains at Grade 1 or less following corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue avelumab for any severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reaction that recurs and for any life-threatening immune-mediated adverse reaction. 1 The following clinically significant, immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of less than 1% of 1738 patients treated with avelumab for each of the following adverse reactions: immune-mediated myocarditis including fatal cases, immune-mediated myositis, psoriasis, arthritis, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, pemphigoid, hypopituitarism, uveitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and systemic inflammatory response. The following clinically significant, immune-mediated adverse reactions have been reported with other products in this class: bullous dermatitis, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), pancreatitis, rhabdomyolysis, myasthenia gravis, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, demyelination, vasculitis, hemolytic anemia, hypophysitis, iritis, and encephalitis. 1 Infusion-related Reactions Avelumab can cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Premedicate with antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to the first 4 infusions. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions including pyrexia, chills, flushing, hypotension, dyspnea, wheezing, back pain, abdominal pain, and urticaria. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion for mild or moderate infusion-related reactions. Stop the infusion and permanently discontinue avelumab for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. 1 Infusion-related reactions occurred in 25% (439/1738) of patients treated with avelumab including three (0.2%) Grade 4 and nine (0.5%) Grade 3 infusion-related reactions. Ninety-three percent (1615/1738) of patients received premedication with antihistamine and acetaminophen. Eleven (92%) of the 12 patients with Grade 3 reactions were treated with intravenous corticosteroids. 1 Embryo-fetal Toxicity Based on its mechanism of action, avelumab can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Animal studies have demonstrated that inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can lead to increased risk of immune-mediated rejection of the developing fetus resulting in fetal death. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking avelumab, inform the patient of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of childbearing potential to use effective contraception during treatment with avelumab and for at least one month after the last dose of avelumab. 1 Specific Populations Pregnancy Based on its mechanism of action, avelumab can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on the use of avelumab in pregnant women. Animal studies have demonstrated that inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can lead to increased risk of immune-mediated rejection of the developing fetus resulting in fetal death. Human IgG1 immunoglobulins (IgG1) are known to cross the placenta. Therefore, avelumab has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, advise the patient of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. 1 Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with avelumab to evaluate its effect on reproduction and fetal development. A central function of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is to preserve pregnancy by maintaining maternal immune tolerance to the fetus. In murine models of pregnancy, blockade of PD-L1 signaling has been shown to disrupt tolerance to the fetus and to result in an increase in fetal loss; therefore, potential risks of administering avelumab during pregnancy include increased rates of abortion or stillbirth. As reported in the literature, there were no malformations related to the blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in the offspring of these animals; however, immune-mediated disorders occurred in PD-1 and PD-L1 knockout mice. Based on its mechanism of action, fetal exposure to avelumab may increase the risk of developing immune-related disorders or altering the normal immune response. 1 Lactation There is no information regarding the presence of avelumab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Since many drugs including antibodies are excreted in human milk, advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during treatment and for at least one month after the last dose of avelumab due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants. 1 Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential Based on its mechanism of action, avelumab can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with avelumab and for at least 1 month after the last dose of avelumab. 1 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of avelumab have been established in pediatric patients age 12 years and older. Use of avelumab in this age group is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of avelumab in adults with additional population pharmacokinetic data demonstrating that age and body weight had no clinically meaningful effect on the steady state exposure of avelumab, that drug exposure is generally similar between adults and pediatric patients age 12 years and older for monoclonal antibodies, and that the course of MCC is sufficiently similar in adults and pediatric patients to allow extrapolation of data in adults to pediatric patients. The recommended dose in pediatric patients 12 years of age or greater is the same as that in adults. 1 Safety and effectiveness of avelumab have not been established in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age. 1 Geriatric Use Of the 88 patients with metastatic MCC treated with avelumab, 75% were 65 years or over. However, clinical studies of avelumab in metastatic MCC had fewer than 100 patients aged 65 and over, therefore, a determination cannot be made as to whether geriatric patients respond differently than younger patients. 1 Common Adverse Effects Most common adverse reactions (reported in 20% of patients) were fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, nausea, infusion-related reaction, rash, decreased appetite, and peripheral edema. 1 Drug Interactions Specific Drugs It is essential that the manufacturer's labeling be consulted for more detailed information on interactions with this drug, including possible dosage adjustments. Interaction highlights: Please see product labeling for drug interaction information. Actions Mechanism of Action 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. Avelumab binds PD-L1 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. Avelumab 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. 1 Advice to Patients Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide). 1 Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions Pneumonitis: Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for new or worsening cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath. 1 Hepatitis: Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for jaundice, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of abdomen, lethargy, or easy bruising or bleeding. 1 Colitis: Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for diarrhea or severe abdominal pain. 1 Endocrinopathies: Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs or symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. 1 Nephritis and Renal Dysfunction: Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs or symptoms of nephritis including decreased urine output, blood in urine, swelling in ankles, loss of appetite, and any other symptoms of renal dysfunction. 1 Infusion-Related Reactions Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs or symptoms of potential infusion-related reactions. 1 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Advise females of reproductive potential that avelumab can cause fetal harm. Instruct females of reproductive potential to use highly effective contraception during and for at least one month after the last dose of avelumab. 1 Lactation Advise nursing mothers not to breastfeed while taking avelumab and for at least one month after the final dose. 1 Additional Information AHFS First Release . For additional information until a more detailed monograph is developed and published, the manufacturer's labeling should be consulted. It is essential that the manufacturer's labeling be consulted for more detailed information on usual uses, dosage and administration, cautions, precautions, contraindications, potential drug interactions, laboratory test interferences, and acute toxicity. Preparations Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details. Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations. Avelumab Routes Dosage Forms Strengths Brand Names Manufacturer Parenteral Injection, Solution, Concentrate 20 mg /1 mL Bavencio EMD Serono AHFS Drug Information. Copyright 2017, Selected Revisions March 30, 2017. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. References 1. EMD Serono, Inc. Bavencio (avelumab) intravenous prescribing information. 2017 March. Next Pregnancy Warnings Print this page Add to My Med List More about avelumab Side Effects During Pregnancy Dosage Information Support Group En Español 0 Reviews Add your own review/rating Drug class: Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies Consumer resources Avelumab Avelumab Intravenous (Advanced Reading) Professional resources Other brands: Bavencio Related treatment guides Urothelial Carcinoma Merkel Cell Carcinoma} FEATURED: CAR-T Cell Therapy Overview Mechanism of Action KTE-C19 Studies KTE-C19 Cancer Targets Adverse Events Manufacturing Drug Status Rx Availability Prescription only N/A CSA Schedule Not a controlled drug Approval History Drug history at FDA Drug Class Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies Related Drugs Merkel Cell Carcinoma Bavencio , More... Urothelial Carcinoma Opdivo , Keytruda , nivolumab , pembrolizumab , Tecentriq , atezolizumab , Imfinzi , durvalumab , Bavencio , More... Avelumab Rating No Reviews - Be the first! No Reviews - Be the first! 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