In this review:
Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is a humanised, engineered, IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting programmed death
ligand-1 (PD-L1) and thus has a mechanism of action distinct from PD-1 inhibitors. In addition to blocking the PD-L1 and PD-1 interaction, which can reinvigorate suppressed immune cells to eliminate cancer cells,
atezolizumab blocks PD-L1 and B7.1 binding, which might further enhance immune responses. Furthermore,
direct targeting of PD-L1 leaves the PD-L2 and PD-1 interaction intact and might minimise autoimmunity.
The aim of this review is to explain the PD-L1 pathway and its role in the immune response and highlight the
mode of action of atezolizumab. Important safety and efficacy data for atezolizumab in previously-treated nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are described.
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