Libtayo (Cemiplimab-Rwlc) for Lung Cancer

Overview
Libtayo is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults. A person must have no EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 genetic mutations, and their cancer must either be locally advanced (with no options for surgical removal or chemoradiation) or metastatic (spread to other parts of the body). Libtayo is either used alone for tumors with high PD-L1 expression or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for other NSCLC cases. Libtayo is also known by its drug name, cemiplimab-rwlc.

Cemiplimab-rwlc is a monoclonal antibody. It works by blocking programmed death receptor-1, a protein on T cells (a type of immune cell). By inhibiting PD-1, cemiplimab-rwlc enhances the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Libtayo is administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes. For NSCLC, it is typically given every three weeks until the disease progresses or unacceptable side effects occur. It is essential for Libtayo to be administered exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Libtayo include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, rash, diarrhea, and anemia (low red blood cell count) when used as a single agent. When combined with platinum-based chemotherapy, additional common side effects are alopecia (hair loss), nausea, peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain in hands and feet), and decreased appetite.

Rare but serious side effects may include immune-mediated adverse reactions, which can affect any organ, such as pneumonitis (lung inflammation), colitis (intestinal inflammation), hepatitis (liver inflammation), endocrinopathies (hormonal disorders), and nephritis (kidney inflammation). Complications from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and severe infusion-related reactions can also occur. Libtayo can cause embryo-fetal toxicity (harm to an embryo, fetus, or unborn baby).

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Label: Libtayo — Cemiplimab-Rwlc Injection — DailyMed

Libtayo — Drugs.com