For people with unresectable Stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT). See Full Indication »
Here are answers to some questions you may have about IMFINZI and lung cancer. Remember, your doctor is the best resource for answering specific questions about your treatment.
Click on the plus signs to view answers to frequently asked questions.
What is IMFINZI?IMFINZI is the first and only immunotherapy for people with unresectable Stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT).
What is an immunotherapy?Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works with the immune system to find and attack cancer. IMFINZI may also attack healthy cells.
Ask your doctor if the immunotherapy treatment IMFINZI is right for you.
How does IMFINZI work?IMFINZI is an immunotherapy that works to help reduce the chance of unresectable Stage 3 lung cancer growing or spreading in your body after CRT. IMFINZI may not work for everyone.
How will I receive IMFINZI?IMFINZI will be given as an IV (intravenous) infusion every 2 weeks. The infusion usually lasts an hour. Your doctor will determine your dosage based on your weight. You will receive your infusion at your doctor’s office or infusion center, so there’s no need for you to pick up IMFINZI from the pharmacy.
How long will I stay on IMFINZI?Every person is different. Your doctor will decide how long you will receive IMFINZI and how many treatments you need. He or she will monitor you regularly for possible side effects, and to see if IMFINZI is working to keep your cancer from growing or spreading.
Why didn’t my doctor prescribe IMFINZI earlier?IMFINZI is prescribed for unresectable Stage 3 NSCLC after CRT if your cancer has not progressed following chemotherapy that contains platinum given at the same time as radiation (concurrent CRT). You need to first complete CRT before you are given IMFINZI.
What are the potential side effects of IMFINZI?While on IMFINZI, you may experience side effects. This is because IMFINZI can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become serious or life-threatening and can lead to death.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all of the possible side effects of IMFINZI. Please see Important Safety Information below and complete Prescribing Information.
What is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?NSCLC is when cells within the lungs become abnormal and begin to grow. As more of these cancerous cells grow, they form tumors. And those tumors can also grow and spread to other areas of the body. In Stage 3 NSCLC, the cancer has not spread beyond the lungs and nearby lymph nodes.
At what stage is NSCLC usually diagnosed?Symptoms of lung cancer can often go unnoticed. In fact, symptoms usually don’t appear until the disease is at an advanced stage. In the US, nearly 25% of people with NSCLC are diagnosed at Stage 3.
Ask your doctor about treating Stage 3 lung cancer with IMFINZI.
What does it mean when my doctor says my cancer has become “unresectable”?If your doctor tells you your cancer has become unresectable, it means that the cancer cannot be removed with surgery.
What does it mean when my doctor says my cancer is “Stage 3”?If your doctor has diagnosed you with Stage 3 NSCLC, that means your cancer has not spread beyond the lungs and the nearby lymph nodes.
Ask your doctor about treating Stage 3 lung cancer with IMFINZI.
How is Stage 3 lung cancer treated?When Stage 3 NSCLC cannot be removed by surgery, the first step in treatment is usually a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, called “chemoradiation therapy” or “CRT.”
Before IMFINZI, the last 10 years showed only limited advancements to the current standard of care for unresectable Stage 3 NSCLC.
If CRT has worked for you, IMFINZI may be your next step.
Ask your doctor about treating Stage 3 lung cancer with IMFINZI.
What is chemoradiation therapy (CRT)?Chemoradiation therapy is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. The two treatments work in different ways to attack cancer. Chemotherapy attacks all fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. Radiation therapy targets DNA in cancer cells to keep them from growing.
Should I treat after CRT?One study showed that within a year of receiving CRT, up to 89% of people progressed to Stage 4 NSCLC. IMFINZI is a treatment option that may help people keep fighting their unresectable Stage 3 NSCLC after CRT.
What is PD-L1?PD-L1 is a protein that disguises cancer cells from the immune system. IMFINZI works by binding to and blocking PD-L1 to remove the disguise so your immune system is better able to find and attack these cancer cells. There is a chance that IMFINZI may affect healthy cells, too.
What is the difference between chemotherapy and immunotherapy?Chemotherapy attacks all fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. Immunotherapy works with the immune system to find and attack cancer.
Learn how IMFINZI may be your next step after CRT here.
What is Lighthouse?Lighthouse provides you with constant support during your IMFINZI treatment with help from medically trained Advocates. Lighthouse encourages you to monitor your overall experience, including tracking of any side effects.
To learn more, visit LighthouseProgram.com or call 1-855-LHOUSE1 (1-855-546-8731).
What is Access 360TM?If your doctor has prescribed IMFINZI, you may have questions.
The AstraZeneca Access 360 program can help. We can answer your questions about:
To learn more about the AstraZeneca Access 360 program, please call 1-844-ASK-A360 (1-844-275-2360) Monday-Friday 8 AM-8 PM EST or visit www.MyAccess360.com.
Are there other organizations to help me understand my Stage 3 lung cancer?There are several organizations that are here to help you better understand Stage 3 lung cancer. Learn more about these organizations here.
Is there any more information I can receive about IMFINZI and Stage 3 lung cancer?Whether or not you’re on IMFINZI, you can get additional tools, tips, resources, and education by signing up here.
IMFINZI is a medicine that may treat a type of lung cancer by working with your immune system.
IMFINZI can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become serious or life-threatening and can lead to death.
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) is a prescription medicine used to treat a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). IMFINZI may be used when your NSCLC has not spread outside your chest, cannot be removed by surgery, and has responded or stabilized with initial treatment with chemotherapy that contains platinum, given at the same time as radiation therapy.
It is not known if IMFINZI is safe and effective in children.
Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during your treatment with IMFINZI. Your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare provider may delay or completely stop treatment with IMFINZI if you have severe side effects.
Before you receive IMFINZI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus; have had an organ transplant; have lung or breathing problems; have liver problems; or are being treated for an infection.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. IMFINZI can harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, you should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of IMFINZI. Talk to your healthcare provider about which birth control methods to use. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with IMFINZI.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, tell your healthcare provider. It is not known if IMFINZI passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with IMFINZI and for at least 3 months after the last dose of IMFINZI.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
The most common side effects in people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include cough, feeling tired, inflammation in the lungs (pneumonitis), upper respiratory tract infections, shortness of breath, and rash.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of IMFINZI. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products by clicking here.
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) is a prescription medicine used to treat a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). IMFINZI may be used when your NSCLC has not spread outside your chest, cannot be removed by surgery, and has responded or stabilized with initial treatment with chemotherapy that contains platinum, given at the same time as radiation therapy.
It is not known if IMFINZI is safe and effective in children.
Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information (Medication Guide).
IMFINZI is a medicine that may treat a type of lung cancer by working with your immune system.
