retifanlimab
Zynyz (retifanlimab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Incyte for two rare cancers. With carboplatin and paclitaxel it is a first-line treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, and as monotherapy it treats metastatic or locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma.
This page is based on FDA prescribing information and the EMA medicine record for retifanlimab, 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
Tumours of the anal canal and of Merkel cells can raise a molecular white flag that presses the PD-1 brake on attacking T cells, so the immune patrol stands down. Retifanlimab covers the brake. The flag no longer works, the T cells stay switched on, and they attack the cancer alongside chemotherapy or on their own.
In simple terms
Retifanlimab-dlwr is a monoclonal antibody given by intravenous infusion that targets PD-1, an off-switch on T cells. Many cancers display the ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, which bind PD-1 and suppress the immune response against them. Retifanlimab binds PD-1 and blocks that signalling, restoring T-cell activation and T-cell-mediated attack on tumour cells. It is used for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, with carboplatin and paclitaxel in the first-line setting and alone after platinum-based chemotherapy, and for Merkel cell carcinoma.
In depth
Retifanlimab-dlwr is a proprietary humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the negative immunoregulatory human cell surface receptor programmed cell death 1 (PD-1). Upon administration it binds to and inhibits PD-1 and its downstream signalling pathways, which may restore immune function through the activation of T cells and cell-mediated immune responses against tumour cells. PD-1 is a transmembrane protein in the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed on T cells that functions as an immune checkpoint negatively regulating T-cell activation and effector function when engaged by its ligands PD-L1 or PD-L2, and it plays an important role in tumour evasion from host immunity.
See it in motion
A schematic animation of the mechanism — simplified for clarity, not drawn to scale.
How retifanlimab, a humanized anti-PD-1 antibody, frees T cells against anal-canal and Merkel-cell carcinoma
- Tumours of the anal canal and of Merkel cells can raise a molecular white flag that presses the PD-1 brake on attacking T cells, so the immune patrol stands down.
- Retifanlimab-dlwr is a proprietary humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the negative immunoregulatory human cell surface receptor programmed cell death 1 (PD-1).
- Upon administration it binds to and inhibits PD-1 and its downstream signalling pathways, which may restore immune function through the activation of T cells and cell-mediated immune responses against tumour cells.
- It is used for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, with carboplatin and paclitaxel in the first-line setting and alone after platinum-based chemotherapy, and for Merkel cell carcinoma.
Target: Programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor
An immune checkpoint on T cells; when its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 activate it, T-cell activation and effector function are suppressed, which tumours exploit to escape immune attack.
Approved uses
Approved uses differ by country and change over time. Always follow your local prescribing information.
Approved uses in United States
FDA- In combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, for the first-line treatment of adults with inoperable locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal
- As a single agent, for the treatment of adults with locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal with disease progression on or intolerance to platinum-based chemotherapy
- For the treatment of adults with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma
Approved uses in European Union
EMA- In combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic or inoperable locally recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal
- As monotherapy, for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma not amenable to curative surgery or radiation therapy
Official sources
The statements on this page trace back to these records.
- Zynyz (retifanlimab) — Summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, English version
European Medicines Agency
- DailyMed: ZYNYZ (retifanlimab) official US label
U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: retifanlimab prescribing information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- National Cancer Institute: retifanlimab
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.