How to take Avelumab

For patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), urothelial carcinoma (UC), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the recommended dose of avelumab is 800 mg intravenously infused over 60 minutes every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. For the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, administer axitinib 5 mg orally twice daily with or without food until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. When the two drugs are used together, consideration may be given to increasing the dose of axitinib above the initial dose of 5 mg at intervals of two weeks or longer.

BeforeGive the patient antihistamines and acetaminophen before the 4 infusions of avelumab. Premedication should be used with subsequent avelumab doses based on clinical judgment and the presence/severity of previous infusion reactions. Avelumab dose reduction is not recommended. In general, avelumab should be discontinued for severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reactions. Permanently discontinue avelumab due to life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated adverse reactions, recurrent severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated reactions requiring systemic immunosuppressive therapy, or inability to reduce the corticosteroid dose to 10 mg or less of prednisone or equivalent within 12 weeks of starting corticosteroids.

Avelumab is an emerging cancer treatment drug. The original drug has not yet been marketed in China, so it cannot be included in medical insurance. The price of Avelumab's generic drug, 200mg/10mL per box, may be more than RMB 10,000 per box (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). We are not aware of any Avelumab generics being produced and put on the market. For specific prices and drug details, please consult Yade's medical consultant.