An evaluation of avelumab for the treatment of genitourinary tumors
Viktoria Stühler1, Jan Moritz Maas1, Simon Walz1
1Department of Urology, University of Tübingen , Tübingen, Germany.
Introduction:
The immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) programmed cell death protein and ligands 1 (PD1- and PD-L1) as well as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 have demonstrated clinical efficacy in genitourinary cancer. While different ICI exist, focus of the current study work was to evaluate the PD-L1 antibody avelumab within this framework of ICI.
Areas Covered:
The manuscript reviews the pharmacological characteristics and preclinical and clinical data of avelumab in the treatment for advanced or metastatic genitourinary cancers. It highlights its respective clinical relevance and special features in the context of the other available ICI.
Expert Opinion:
Avelumab has shown promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with mRCC and mUC as mono- and combination therapy. The approach of an avelumab maintenance therapy in mUC is promising and could become part of future clinical practice. Results of ICI used in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting are eagerly awaited. Avelumab's uniqueness is its capacity to enhance antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Because of this, currently ongoing clinical trials investigate the combination of avelumab with other immune modulating agents like IL-12 and IL-15. Thereby, it can be assumed that avelumab will have an ongoing role in the treatment of patients with genitourinary tumors.
Insights
Avelumab, a programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, shows promise in treating genitourinary cancers like metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Its unique ability to enhance antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity supports its role in future cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunotherapy
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD1-PD-L1 and CTLA-4 have shown efficacy in genitourinary cancers.
- Avelumab is a PD-L1 antibody evaluated for advanced or metastatic genitourinary cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pharmacological characteristics, preclinical, and clinical data of avelumab.
- To evaluate avelumab's clinical relevance and unique features compared to other ICIs.
Main Methods:
- Review of pharmacological properties.
- Analysis of preclinical and clinical data for avelumab in genitourinary cancers.
Main Results:
- Avelumab demonstrates promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in mRCC and mUC.
- Avelumab's capacity to enhance antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity is a unique feature.
- Ongoing trials explore avelumab in combination with other immune modulators.
Conclusions:
- Avelumab is a viable option for advanced or metastatic genitourinary cancers, as monotherapy or combination therapy.
- Avelumab maintenance therapy in mUC shows promise for future clinical practice.
- Avelumab is expected to maintain a significant role in treating genitourinary tumors.
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