Bavencio(avelumab)

[Function and indication] Bavencio (avelumab) is used to treat adults and children aged ≥12 years with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), including those who have not yet received chemotherapy.

[Model and specification] 200mg/10ml

[Usage and dosage] 10 mg/kg is given every 2 weeks as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes.

[Clinical study] In the Phase II clinical trial of AVELIN Merkel 200, 88 people participated, and the objective response rate of avelumab was 33%, of which 11% were complete responses. Like other PD-1 drugs, many patients responded relatively persistently, and 45% of patients responded for one year.

[Adverse reactions] Common side effects of Bavencio include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, nausea, infusion-related reactions, rash, decreased appetite and swelling of the limbs (peripheral edema). The most common serious risk of Bavencio is immune-mediated, where the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells or organs, such as the lungs (pneumonitis), liver (hepatitis), colon (colitis), hormone-secreting glands (endocrinopathy), and kidneys (nephritis).
In addition, there may be a risk of serious infusion-related reactions. Patients should stop taking Bavencio if they experience a serious or life-threatening infusion-related reaction. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Bavencio because the drug may harm a developing fetus or newborn.

[Manufacturer] Pfizer and Merck collaborate