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IMFINZI FAQs

GET YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT IMFINZI ANSWERED

Here are answers to some questions you may have about IMFINZI and unresectable Stage 3 lung cancer. Remember, your doctor is the best resource for answering specific questions about your treatment.

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ABOUT IMFINZI FOR UNRESECTABLE STAGE 3 NSCLC

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).

See questions to ask your doctor about IMFINZI.

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 keep unresectable Stage 3 lung cancer from growing or spreading in your body after CRT. IMFINZI may not work for everyone.

See how IMFINZI works.

How will I receive IMFINZI?

There are two dosing options to receive your infusion – every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks. Your doctor will determine how often and how long you will receive IMFINZI. You will stop receiving IMFINZI if your disease progresses or if your side effects become intolerable.

See how IMFINZI is given.

How long will I stay on IMFINZI?

Patients will receive IMFINZI every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks for up to 12 months or until disease has worsened or side effects become intolerable. However, 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.

See questions to ask your doctor about IMFINZI.

Why didn’t my doctor prescribe IMFINZI earlier?

IMFINZI is prescribed after CRT if your cancer has not progressed following chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation (concurrent CRT). You need to first complete CRT before you are given IMFINZI.

See questions to ask your doctor about 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.

IMFINZI may also cause serious side effects. They include:

  • Lung problems
  • Intestinal problems
  • Liver problems
  • Hormone gland problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Skin problems
  • Problems in other organs
  • Severe infusion reactions
  • Complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)

The most common side effects of IMFINZI include:

  • Cough
  • Feeling tired
  • Inflammation in the lungs (pneumonitis)
  • Upper respiratory tract infections
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rash

Tell your doctor 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.

See questions to ask your doctor about IMFINZI.

ABOUT UNRESECTABLE STAGE 3 LUNG CANCER

What is Stage 3 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.

Learn about NSCLC.

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. 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.

See questions to ask your doctor about IMFINZI.

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 unresectable Stage 3 NSCLC treated?

When Stage 3 NSCLC cannot be removed by surgery, the first step in treatment for most patients is usually a combination of chemotherapy and radiation given together, called “concurrent 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.

Ask your doctor about treating with IMFINZI after CRT.

Should I get treated after CRT?

One study shows that within a year of receiving CRT, up to 89% of people progress to Stage 4 NSCLC without further treatments. IMFINZI is a treatment option proven to give people more time without their lung cancer growing or spreading.

Learn about treating Stage 3 lung cancer 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.

See how IMFINZI works.

What is the difference between chemotherapy and immunotherapy?

Chemotherapy attacks all fast-growing cancer cells, including cancer cells. Immunotherapy works with the immune system to find and attack cancer. IMFINZI may also affect healthy cells.

See how IMFINZI works.

Learn how IMFINZI may be your next step after CRT here.

SUPPORT

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, 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 360TM program can help. We can answer your questions about:

  • Insurance coverage for your medicine
  • Your out-of-pocket costs
  • Financial support
  • Pharmacies that stock or deliver your medicine
  • Nurse and other educational help

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.

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Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about IMFINZI?

IMFINZI is a medicine that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system. IMFINZI can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. You can have more than one of these problems at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended.

What is IMFINZI?

IMFINZI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with 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.

Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worsening signs or symptoms, including:

  • Lung problems icon

    Lung problems: cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain

  • Intestinal problems icon

    Intestinal problems: diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual; stools that are black, tarry, sticky, or have blood or mucus; and severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain or tenderness

  • Liver problems icon

    Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of your stomach-area (abdomen), dark urine (tea colored), and bleeding or bruising more easily than normal

  • Hormone gland problems icon

    Hormone gland problems: headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches; eye sensitivity to light; eye problems; rapid heartbeat; increase sweating; extreme tiredness; weight gain or weight loss; feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual; fast and deep breathing; sweet smell to your breath; sweet or metallic taste in your mouth; different odor to your urine or sweat; urinating more often than usual; hair loss; feeling cold; constipation; your voice gets deeper; dizziness or fainting; and changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness

  • Kidney problems icon

    Kidney problems: decrease in your amount of urine, blood in your urine, swelling of your ankles, and loss of appetite

  • Skin problems icon

    Skin problems: rash; itching; skin blistering or peeling; painful sores or ulcers in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area; fever or flu-like symptoms; swollen lymph nodes

  • Other organ problems icon

    Problems can also happen in other organs and tissues. These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with IMFINZI. Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms, which may include: Chest pain, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath or swelling of ankles; confusion, sleepiness, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, stiff neck, balance problems, tingling or numbness of the arms or legs; double vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, changes in eye sight; persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps; and low red blood cells, bruising

  • Severe infusion reactions icon

    Infusion reactions that can sometimes be severe or life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include: chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness, feel like passing out, fever, and back or neck pain

  • Transplant complications icon

    Complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be serious and can lead to death. These complications may happen if you underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with IMFINZI. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these complications.

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 also need to 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 received an organ transplant
  • have received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)
  • have received radiation treatment to your chest area
  • have a condition that affects your nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. IMFINZI can harm your unborn baby

Females who 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 birth control methods that you can use during this time.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with IMFINZI.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if IMFINZI passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of IMFINZI.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of IMFINZI?

IMFINZI can cause serious side effects (see above):

The most common side effects in people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include cough, feeling tired, inflammation in the lungs, upper respiratory tract infections, shortness of breath, and rash.

Tell your doctor 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 doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products by clicking here. If you prefer to report these to the FDA, either visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is IMFINZI?

IMFINZI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with 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 click here for complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information (Medication Guide).

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Important Safety Information +

What is the most important information I should know about IMFINZI?

IMFINZI is a medicine that may treat certain types of lung cancer by working with your immune system.

What is IMFINZI?

IMFINZI is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with 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.