durvalumab
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor from AstraZeneca. By lifting the PD-L1 brake on T cells it restores immune attack on cancer, and is used around surgery in resectable lung cancer and after chemoradiation or chemotherapy in other lung cancer settings.
This page is based on FDA prescribing information and the EMA medicine record for durvalumab, 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
A tumour raises a PD-L1 white flag that tells T cells to stand down, so the immune patrol lowers its weapons and moves on. Durvalumab paints over the flag. The patrol can no longer read the surrender signal, sees the tumour clearly, and attacks.
In simple terms
T cells are designed to kill abnormal cells, but cancers protect themselves by displaying PD-L1, which binds the PD-1 off-switch on T cells. Durvalumab is an antibody that binds PD-L1 and blocks that interaction. Released from suppression, T cells reactivate against the tumour. Given after chemoradiation or chemotherapy, it helps the immune system keep remaining cancer cells in check.
In depth
Durvalumab is a human IgG1-kappa monoclonal antibody that binds PD-L1, preventing interaction with PD-1 and CD80, and thereby releasing PD-L1-mediated T-cell suppression without inducing antibody-dependent cell killing of PD-L1-expressing cells. In unresectable stage III NSCLC after chemoradiation it improved survival in the PACIFIC setting, and perioperative and extensive-stage SCLC combinations extend its use across lung cancer stages.
See it in motion
A schematic animation of the mechanism — simplified for clarity, not drawn to scale.
How durvalumab, a human IgG1-kappa antibody, blocks PD-L1
- T cells are designed to kill abnormal cells, but cancers protect themselves by displaying PD-L1, which binds the PD-1 off-switch on T cells.
- Durvalumab is a human IgG1-kappa monoclonal antibody that binds PD-L1, preventing interaction with PD-1 and CD80, and thereby releasing PD-L1-mediated T-cell suppression without inducing antibody-dependent cell killing of PD-L1-expressing cells.
- Released from suppression, T cells reactivate against the tumour.
- In unresectable stage III NSCLC after chemoradiation it improved survival in the PACIFIC setting, and perioperative and extensive-stage SCLC combinations extend its use across lung cancer stages.
Target: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)
A surface protein tumours use to switch off T cells through the PD-1 checkpoint; blocking it lets T cells recognise and destroy cancer cells again.
Approved uses
Approved uses differ by country and change over time. Always follow your local prescribing information.
Approved uses in United States
FDA- With platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, then as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery, for adults with resectable non-small cell lung cancer with no known EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements
- As a single agent, for adults with limited-stage small cell lung cancer whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- With etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin, for the first-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
Approved uses in European Union
EMA- With platinum-based chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by durvalumab monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, for adults with resectable non-small cell lung cancer at high risk of recurrence and no EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements
Official sources
The statements on this page trace back to these records.
- Imfinzi (durvalumab) — Summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, English version
European Medicines Agency
- DailyMed: Imfinzi (durvalumab) label
DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: durvalumab prescribing information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- National Cancer Institute: durvalumab
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.