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How does Loqtorzi work for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 9, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Loqtorzi (toripalimab) is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody that works by binding to the PD-1 receptor that exists on the outside of some cancer cells. PD-1 prevents our immune system from attacking the cancerous cells, but once Loqtorzi has bound to PD-1, the immune system is no longer inhibited, and immune system components, such as T cells, can kill the cell. Loqtorzi is also thought to lower the number of PD-1 receptors on the outside of the cancer cells by causing the PD-1 receptor to be absorbed inside the cancer cells.

Loqtorzi belongs to the class of medicines called Checkpoint Inhibitors and is given by intravenous infusion. It has been FDA-approved to treat:

  • metastatic or recurrent, locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine as first-line treatment
  • NPC that has returned and cannot be removed with surgery or has spread (metastatic), despite prior treatment with a platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen.

Is Loqtorzi chemotherapy?

Loqtorzi works with the immune system to help fight cancer and is considered an immunotherapy treatment, not chemotherapy.

References
  • Toripalimab-tpzi. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/toripalimab
  • Junshi Biosciences and Coherus Share Update on the FDA Review of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Toripalimab as Treatment for Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). GlobeNewsWire.com. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/12/25/2579403/0/en/Junshi-Biosciences-and-Coherus-Share-Update-on-the-FDA-Review-of-the-Biologics-License-Application-BLA-for-Toripalimab-as-Treatment-for-Recurrent-or-Metastatic-Nasopharyngeal-Carci.html
  • Loqtorzi Prescribing Information. Reviewed October 2023. https://loqtorzi.com/pdf/prescribing-information.pdf

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