Safety and efficacy of durvalumab (MEDI4736) in various solid tumors

• Main Authors: Yang H, Shen K, Zhu C, Li Q, Zhao Y, Ma X
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2018-07-01
• Series: Drug Design, Development and Therapy
• Subjects: durvalumab; solid cancer; safety; efficacy
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/safety-and-efficacy-of-durvalumab-medi4736-in-various-solid-tumors-peer-reviewed-article-DDDT

Hui Yang,1,2,* Kai Shen,3,* Chenjing Zhu,3 Qingfang Li,3 Yunuo Zhao,2 Xuelei Ma3,* 1Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Introduction: The prominent immune checkpoint molecule, programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), is the object of increasing attention. Here, we report a meta-analysis investigating the safety and efficacy of durvalumab (MEDI4736), an inhibitor of PD-L1, in various solid tumors. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and related articles was performed. Safety data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software program version 2. Ultimately, 17 studies with 1,529 patients were included in our analysis. Results: The major adverse events associated with durvalumab were pruritus and fatigue, while pruritus, increased alanine transaminase, and increased aspartate aminotransferase were common among patients treated with a combination of durvalumab and tremelimumab. Higher PD-L1 expression was associated with a superior objective response rate. Conclusion: Durvalumab is safe in patients with many solid cancers and, in combination with tremelimumab, it has a tolerable safety profile and is associated with improved prognosis. PD-L1 expression is a biomarker of the efficacy of durvalumab. Keywords: durvalumab, solid cancers, adverse effects, efficacy, meta-analysis