Active substance
Results for the substance retifanlimab
1 result
About this active substance
Retifanlimab is an anticancer medicine known as immunotherapy. It is used in adults for selected advanced cancers, especially Merkel cell carcinoma that has spread or has returned locally and cannot be cured with surgery or radiotherapy. In some countries it is also approved for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.
Retifanlimab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the PD-1 receptor. Some tumors use this pathway to weaken the body’s immune response; by blocking it, immune cells may recognize cancer cells more effectively. The effect can develop gradually, so follow-up visits, blood tests and scans are important during treatment.
The medicine is given as an intravenous infusion in a hospital or oncology clinic, under medical supervision. The dose and infusion schedule are set by the oncologist. Tell your doctor before treatment if you have an autoimmune disease, an organ transplant, lung, liver or hormone gland problems, or if you take steroids or other immune-suppressing medicines.
Side effects may include tiredness, muscle or joint pain, rash, itching, diarrhea, nausea, fever and reduced appetite. Serious immune-related reactions can occur, with inflammation of the lungs, bowel, liver, kidneys or hormone glands. Contact your doctor promptly for persistent diarrhea, new cough, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, confusion, dizziness or extreme fatigue.
Retifanlimab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the PD-1 receptor. Some tumors use this pathway to weaken the body’s immune response; by blocking it, immune cells may recognize cancer cells more effectively. The effect can develop gradually, so follow-up visits, blood tests and scans are important during treatment.
The medicine is given as an intravenous infusion in a hospital or oncology clinic, under medical supervision. The dose and infusion schedule are set by the oncologist. Tell your doctor before treatment if you have an autoimmune disease, an organ transplant, lung, liver or hormone gland problems, or if you take steroids or other immune-suppressing medicines.
Side effects may include tiredness, muscle or joint pain, rash, itching, diarrhea, nausea, fever and reduced appetite. Serious immune-related reactions can occur, with inflammation of the lungs, bowel, liver, kidneys or hormone glands. Contact your doctor promptly for persistent diarrhea, new cough, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, confusion, dizziness or extreme fatigue.