CDSCO Approves Durvalumab Monotherapy for Liver Cancer
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: Systemic treatment options for unresectable HCC in India primarily relied on traditional multikinase inhibitors like Sorafenib or Lenvatinib as first-line therapies. NOW: Durvalumab is available as a monotherapy, providing a new, targeted immunotherapy option with potentially better tolerability for patients.
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BEFORE: AstraZeneca's Durvalumab was restricted in India to treating specific indications like biliary tract cancer and certain stages of lung cancer. NOW: The CDSCO has officially expanded its approved indications to include unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).
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BEFORE: Patients with uHCC had limited access to first-line single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-L1 pathway. NOW: Patients who have not received prior systemic therapy have direct access to this advanced PD-L1 blocking monoclonal antibody.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
With Reference ToWith reference to the recently approved Durvalumab monotherapy for liver cancer, consider the following statements: 1. Durvalumab is a monoclonal antibody that acts as an immune checkpoint inhibitor by targeting the PD-L1 pathway. 2. Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) refers to early-stage liver cancer that can be easily completely removed through surgery. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?