Quick Facts About: Dostarlimab
Source: Shutterstock.
Alternative names
Jemperli
FDA approved?
Yes, in 2021.
Used to treat
Deficient mismatch repair advanced or recurrent solid tumors (tumors that do not contain cysts or liquid), including colorectal carcinomas, sarcomas, and lymphomas.
Use of dostarlimab is not limited to treating colorectal tumors, and is also used for treating endometrial cancer.
Administration and dosage
*All dosages indicated here are specific to colorectal cancer treatment.
Dostarlimab is administered intravenously.
In cancer cases that continue to progress or have no alternative treatment options, the dosage is administered in the following manner:
Number of doses | Dosage | Interval |
|---|---|---|
First 4 doses | 500 mg | Every 3 weeks |
5th dose onwards | 1,000 mg | Every 6 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs |
The doses are given via infusion over 30 minutes, and may be interrupted or discontinued if it impacts the patient’s safety or tolerability.
Contraindications and precautions
Contraindications include pregnancy and lactation.
Special precaution should be taken for patients with:
- History of severe or life-threatening immune-stimulatory anticancer agents associated skin-adverse reactions
- Risk of transplant-related complications
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) — a chronic autoimmune disorder that weakens skeletal muscles
Side effects
Some common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Itchy skin
The following side effects are potentially life-threatening. You should seek immediate medical help if you experience:
Symptoms | Indication of |
|---|---|
| Lung problems |
| Liver problems |
| Allergic reaction |
| Kidney problems |
|
Type of treatment
Dostarlimab is a monoclonal antibody used in immunotherapy.
Treatment mechanism
Dostarlimab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1). It binds to PD-1 receptors on T-cells and hinders their interaction with ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. This inhibits the suppression of the immune response that cancer cells often exploit to evade detection and destruction.
By hindering the PD-1 pathway, dostarlimab restores the proper functioning of T-cells. This includes enhancing their ability to proliferate, produce cytokines, and engage in cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. With the PD-1 pathway suppressed, the immune system becomes more effective at recognizing and attacking cancer cells.
Dostarlimab works by "releasing the brakes" on the immune system, allowing it to mount a more robust attack against cancer cells.