toripalimab-tpzi (Loqtorzi)

Indications

• for use in combination with cisplatin & gemcitabine for 1st-line treatment of adults with metastatic or recurrent, locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
• for use as a single agent for adults with recurrent unresectable or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy

Contraindications

• advise against breastfeeding

Dosage

• in combination with cisplatin & gemcitabine:
  • 240 mg intravenously every 3 weeks
• as a single agent
  • 3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks
• 1st infusion: infuse over 60 minutes
• subsequent infusions: infuse over 30 minutes if no infusion-related reaction with 1st infusion

240 mg/6 mL (40 mg/mL) solution in a single-dose vial

Adverse effects

• immune-mediated reactions may be severe of fatal may occur in any organ > 20%
  • nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea
  • hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy, musculoskeletal pain
  • rash, pyrexia, cough, dizziness, insomnia, malaise
  • upper respiratory tract infection

• drug adverse effects of pharmaceutical monoclonal antibodies

Mechanism of action

• humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor, blocks its interaction with PD-L1 & PD-L2, releasing PD-1 pathway-mediated inhibition of the immune response, including the anti-tumor immune response.

More general terms

• antineoplastic monoclonal antibody