dostarlimab
Jemperli (dostarlimab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from GlaxoSmithKline. It reawakens T cells against mismatch repair-deficient cancers and is used in advanced endometrial cancer, alone or with chemotherapy, and in selected previously treated solid tumours.
This page is based on FDA prescribing information and the EMA medicine record for dostarlimab, cross-checked with DailyMed and the National Cancer Institute dictionary; the mechanism is explained in plain language, and analogies are used only where they stay accurate.
How it works
Explains what the medicine does in the body, not dosing, side effects, or safety.
An analogy
Tumour cells dangle a molecular "stand down" flag that plugs into PD-1 on passing T cells, and the immune patrol walks by. Dostarlimab covers the PD-1 socket so the flag cannot plug in. The patrol sees the tumour for what it is and attacks.
In simple terms
T cells can destroy cancer, but many tumours switch them off through the PD-1 receptor. Dostarlimab is an antibody that blocks PD-1, preventing tumour cells from sending the off signal. Cancers with deficient mismatch repair carry many mutations and look highly foreign to the immune system, which makes them especially likely to respond once the PD-1 brake is removed.
In depth
Dostarlimab is a humanised IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds PD-1 and blocks interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, releasing PD-1-mediated suppression of T-cell activation. Mismatch repair deficiency produces high neoantigen loads, and PD-1 blockade restores cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity against these tumours. This underpins activity in dMMR endometrial cancer and the tissue-agnostic dMMR solid tumour indication granted under accelerated approval.
See it in motion
A schematic animation of the mechanism — simplified for clarity, not drawn to scale.
How dostarlimab, a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, works in mismatch repair-deficient cancers
- T cells can destroy cancer, but many tumours switch them off through the PD-1 receptor.
- Dostarlimab is an antibody that blocks PD-1, preventing tumour cells from sending the off signal.
- Dostarlimab is a humanised IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds PD-1 and blocks interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, releasing PD-1-mediated suppression of T-cell activation.
- Mismatch repair deficiency produces high neoantigen loads, and PD-1 blockade restores cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity against these tumours.
Target: Programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1)
An off-switch on T cells that cancers exploit to hide from immune attack; blocking it restores T-cell recognition and killing of tumour cells.
Approved uses
Approved uses differ by country and change over time. Always follow your local prescribing information.
Approved uses in United States
FDA- With carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by dostarlimab as a single agent, for adults with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer
- As a single agent, for adults with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that progressed on or following prior treatment, as determined by an FDA-approved test
- As a single agent, for adults with dMMR recurrent or advanced solid tumors that progressed on or following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options
Approved uses in European Union
EMA- With carboplatin and paclitaxel, for the first-line treatment of adults with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who are candidates for systemic therapy
- As monotherapy, for adults with mismatch repair deficient or microsatellite instability-high recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that progressed during or after prior platinum-based therapy
Official sources
The statements on this page trace back to these records.
- Jemperli (dostarlimab) — Summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, English version
European Medicines Agency
- DailyMed: Jemperli (dostarlimab) label
DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: dostarlimab prescribing information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- National Cancer Institute: dostarlimab
National Cancer Institute
This page explains how the medicine works — it isn’t the patient leaflet. For anything that applies to you, read the leaflet that came with your medicine or ask your pharmacist.
MedUnfold provides educational content and is not medical advice. Always follow your local prescribing information and healthcare professional.