polatuzumab vedotin
Polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy) is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets CD79b, a protein found on B-cell lymphoma cells. It delivers a cancer-killing drug directly into those cells. It is used in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
This page is based on EMA and FDA prescribing information for polatuzumab vedotin injection, cross-checked with DailyMed; 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
Polatuzumab vedotin is like a guided delivery service for cancer treatment. The antibody part recognizes CD79b, a protein found on the surface of B-cell lymphoma cells. Once it docks onto the cell, the cancer-killing drug attached to it is released inside, destroying the lymphoma cell from within while sparing most healthy cells that don't carry CD79b.
In simple terms
Polatuzumab vedotin is made of two parts: an antibody that finds lymphoma cells, and a cancer-killing drug attached to it. The antibody binds to a protein called CD79b, which is found on the surface of B-cell lymphoma cells. Once the antibody attaches to the lymphoma cell, the cell pulls the whole molecule inside, and the cancer-killing drug is released, destroying the cell. This targeted approach helps limit damage to healthy cells. It is used in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including newly diagnosed and relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
In depth
Polatuzumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) consisting of a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD79b, conjugated to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), a microtubule-disrupting agent. CD79b is a component of the B-cell receptor complex and is expressed on the surface of B cells and most B-cell lymphomas. Upon binding to cell-surface CD79b, the ADC is internalized, and MMAE is released by proteolytic cleavage. MMAE binds to tubulin, disrupting microtubule networks, inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest, and triggering apoptosis. Polatuzumab vedotin is used in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for relapsed/refractory DLBCL, and with R-CHP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone) for previously untreated DLBCL.
See it in motion
A schematic animation of the mechanism — simplified for clarity, not drawn to scale.
Polatuzumab vedotin is like a guided delivery service for cancer treatment.
- Polatuzumab vedotin is made of two parts: an antibody that finds lymphoma cells, and a cancer-killing drug attached to it.
- The antibody binds to a protein called CD79b, which is found on the surface of B-cell lymphoma cells.
- Once the antibody attaches to the lymphoma cell, the cell pulls the whole molecule inside, and the cancer-killing drug is released, destroying the cell.
- This targeted approach helps limit damage to healthy cells.
Target: CD79b
A component of the B-cell receptor complex expressed on the surface of B cells and B-cell lymphomas; serves as the binding target for polatuzumab vedotin, enabling selective delivery of the cytotoxic payload to B-cell lymphoma cells.
Approved uses
Approved uses differ by country and change over time. Always follow your local prescribing information.
Approved uses in European Union
EMA- Polivy in combination with bendamustine and rituximab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are not candidates for haematopoietic stem cell transplant
- Polivy in combination with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Approved uses in United States
FDA- POLIVY is indicated in combination with a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) for the treatment of adult patients who have previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) and who have an International Prognostic Index score of 2 or greater
- POLIVY is indicated in combination with bendamustine and a rituximab product for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, NOS, after at least two prior therapies
Approved uses in United States
DailyMed- POLIVY in combination with a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients who have previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) and who have an International Prognostic Index score of 2 or greater
- POLIVY in combination with bendamustine and a rituximab product is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, NOS, after at least two prior therapies
Official sources
The statements on this page trace back to these records.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: polatuzumab vedotin prescribing information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- DailyMed: polatuzumab vedotin labeling
DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
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.