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Anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (specialist) Pregnancy: Can cause fetal harm based on animal studies and its mechanism of action; there are no available data in pregnant women. Human IgG1 is known to cross the placenta, so durvalumab may be transmitted from mother to fetus. In pregnant cynomolgus monkeys, exposures approximately 6 to 20 times the clinical 10 mg/kg exposure caused increased premature delivery, fetal loss and premature neonatal death. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk and the need for effective contraception (US PI 8.1, 5.4)

Durvalumab

Brand names: Imfinzi

Durvalumab is a monoclonal antibody immune checkpoint inhibitor used in several cancers, including non-small-cell and small-cell lung cancer and biliary tract cancer.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 1,500 mg for patients with a body weight of 30 kg or more (the flat dose used across most indications). Patients weighing less than 30 kg are dosed by body weight (10 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg depending on indication - see notes). One indication uses a different flat dose: dMMR endometrial cancer, 1,120 mg with carboplatin and paclitaxel for 6 cycles, then 1,500 mg as a single agent
Route: Intravenous infusion over 60 minutes after dilution
Frequency: Every 2, 3 or 4 weeks depending on the indication and the phase of treatment (see notes)
NO UK SPC WAS AVAILABLE IN THIS SOURCE BUNDLE - the whole entry is from the US IMFINZI prescribing information and must be verified against the UK SPC before publication. Indication-specific regimens for body weight 30 kg or more, exactly as stated in the US label: (1) Resectable NSCLC - neoadjuvant 1,500 mg with chemotherapy every 3 weeks for up to 4 cycles before surgery, adjuvant 1,500 mg single agent every 4 weeks for up to 12 cycles after surgery. (2) Unresectable Stage III NSCLC after concurrent platinum-based chemoradiation - 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 1,500 mg every 4 weeks. (3) Metastatic NSCLC - 1,500 mg every 3 weeks with tremelimumab 75 mg and platinum-based chemotherapy for 4 cycles, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks as a single agent with histology-based pemetrexed maintenance every 4 weeks, plus a fifth dose of tremelimumab 75 mg with IMFINZI dose 6 at week 16. (4) Limited-stage SCLC after concurrent chemoradiation - 1,500 mg every 4 weeks. (5) Extensive-stage SCLC - 1,500 mg every 3 weeks with etoposide and carboplatin or cisplatin, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks as a single agent. (6) Biliary tract cancer - 1,500 mg every 3 weeks with chemotherapy, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks single agent. (7) Unresectable HCC - 1,500 mg with tremelimumab 300 mg as a single dose at Cycle 1 Day 1, then single agent every 4 weeks. (8) dMMR endometrial cancer - 1,120 mg with carboplatin and paclitaxel every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, then 1,500 mg every 4 weeks single agent. (9) NMIBC - 1,500 mg every 4 weeks for 13 cycles with BCG induction and maintenance. (10) MIBC - neoadjuvant 1,500 mg with gemcitabine and cisplatin every 3 weeks for 4 cycles before surgery, adjuvant 1,500 mg every 4 weeks for up to 8 cycles after surgery. (11) Resectable gastric/GOJ cancer - neoadjuvant 1,500 mg with FLOT every 4 weeks for up to 2 cycles before surgery, adjuvant 1,500 mg with FLOT every 4 weeks for up to 2 cycles then 1,500 mg single agent every 4 weeks for up to 10 cycles (total up to 12 cycles after surgery). For body weight under 30 kg the label substitutes weight-based dosing, most commonly 20 mg/kg on the same schedule (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for unresectable Stage III NSCLC and for single-agent maintenance in extensive-stage SCLC; 15 mg/kg with carboplatin and paclitaxel in dMMR endometrial cancer, then 20 mg/kg every 4 weeks). This under-30 kg banding is a body-weight band in the adult label, not a paediatric indication - safety and effectiveness have not been established in paediatric patients. Dose modifications for adverse reactions are by withholding or permanent discontinuation (see full prescribing information); immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur in any organ system, and liver enzymes, creatinine and thyroid function should be evaluated at baseline and periodically. Infusion-related reactions: interrupt, slow the rate, or permanently discontinue based on severity. The detailed dosage table in the source was truncated at the fetch limit, so the durations and combination details above are the summary-level statements only.

Dose auto-extracted from US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

  • None stated (US prescribing information section 4: "None")

Side effects

  • In combination with chemotherapy (resectable Stage II/III NSCLC): anaemia, nausea, constipation, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain and rash (each >=20%)
  • As a single agent (unresectable Stage III NSCLC): cough, fatigue, pneumonitis or radiation pneumonitis, upper respiratory tract infections, dyspnoea and rash (each >=20%)
  • Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, in any organ system - including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, dermatologic reactions, nephritis with renal dysfunction, pancreatitis and solid organ transplant rejection
  • Infusion-related reactions
  • Fatal and other serious complications of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation performed before or after PD-1/PD-L1 blockade

Clinical monograph

How it works

It binds programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), blocking its interaction with PD-1 and CD80 and thereby releasing inhibition of cytotoxic T cells to enhance antitumour immunity.

Prescribing in practice

  • It can cause immune-related adverse effects in any organ, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis and endocrinopathies, which can be severe and may need corticosteroids and dose interruption.
  • Infusion-related reactions can occur and require monitoring during administration.
  • It is given by intravenous infusion under specialist oncology supervision.

Monitoring

Monitor for immune-related adverse reactions, including liver, thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, lung and bowel involvement, before and during treatment.

Counselling the patient

  • Report new cough, breathlessness, persistent diarrhoea, rash or marked fatigue without delay.
  • Carry an alert that you are receiving immunotherapy so other clinicians are aware.

Evidence & guidelines

Durvalumab is supported by trial evidence (including the PACIFIC trial in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer) and is appraised by NICE within licensed indications.

Reference: multiple NICE TAs; ESMO IO toxicity guidelines; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.