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What type of drug is Imfinzi?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on March 31, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody (also called an immune checkpoint inhibitor). It is used to treat various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), biliary tract cancer (BTC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), endometrial cancer, and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

What are immune checkpoints?

Immune checkpoints are part of the immune system and their function is to prevent healthy cells from being destroyed when a strong immune response is triggered in the body.

Immune checkpoints are activated when proteins on the surface of T-cells recognize and bind to partner proteins on other cells (such as cancer cells) sending an "off" signal to the T-cells. This prevents the immune system from destroying the cancer cells. When the checkpoint proteins are blocked from binding with their partner proteins, the "off" signal cannot be sent, and the T-cells can then kill the cancer cells.

How does Imfinzi work?

Imfinzi is a monoclonal antibody that binds to programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1)
preventing it from binding with the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1). Blocking this binding boosts the body's immune system response against the cancer cells.

What types of cancer is Imfinzi used to treat?

Summary

Imfinzi enhances immune system function by blocking PD-L1, helping T-cells recognize and attack cancer cells. Its diverse applications in lung, liver, endometrial, biliary, and bladder cancers make it a critical immunotherapy option.

References
  1. Imfinzi [package insert]. 2015. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. Accessed March 31, 2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8baba4ea-2855-42fa-9bd9-5a7548d4cec3

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