Imfinzi® (durvalumab) infusion therapy for lung and biliary cancers

What Imfinzi® Is and How It Works

Imfinzi® (durvalumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used in oncology. It targets programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a protein tumors use to hide from T cells. By blocking PD-L1, durvalumab helps restore anti-tumor immune responses. Imfinzi is an intravenous infusion for systemic treatment. It is used for lung cancer and other solid tumors, including use in small cell lung cancer and biliary tract cancer.

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Key indications include unresectable stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer after chemoradiation, first-line extensive-stage small cell lung cancer with chemotherapy, and first-line biliary tract cancer with gemcitabine and cisplatin. In some regions, durvalumab also combines with tremelimumab for hepatocellular carcinoma. The Imfinzi manufacturer is AstraZeneca.

Formulations come as single-use vials (120 mg/2.4 mL and 500 mg/10 mL) for dilution and infusion. Dosing is weight-based or fixed, depending on the indication. Many adult regimens use a fixed 1500 mg schedule. Discusses below are typical dosing schedules and handling practices used in clinics.

Dosage and Usage

• Stage 3 NSCLC (unresectable) after chemoradiation: 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks, or 1500 mg every 4 weeks for adults, for up to 12 months if tolerated and without progression.
• Extensive-stage SCLC: 1500 mg every 3 weeks with etoposide plus carboplatin or cisplatin for 4 cycles, then 1500 mg every 4 weeks as maintenance until progression or unacceptable toxicity.
• Biliary tract cancer: 1500 mg every 3 weeks with gemcitabine and cisplatin, then 1500 mg every 4 weeks as maintenance.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (where approved): single priming dose of tremelimumab with durvalumab 1500 mg, followed by durvalumab 1500 mg every 4 weeks.
• Administration: dilute per institutional protocol and infuse over about 60 minutes via IV. Monitor for infusion reactions.
• Missed dose: administer as soon as possible and adjust the schedule to maintain regular intervals thereafter.
• Clinical teams may hold or discontinue doses for immune-mediated adverse reactions or lab abnormalities.

• Storage: store vials in a refrigerator at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) in the original carton; protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not shake.
• On arrival: refrigerate vials promptly. You will receive cold-chain packaging designed to keep contents within 2–8 °C.
• Preparation windows and in-use stability follow the manufacturer label and clinic protocols.
• Travel to an infusion site: keep vials in an insulated container with cold packs; avoid direct contact with ice. Keep between 2–8 °C. Do not refreeze if exposed to warmer temperatures.
• Inspection: do not use if the solution is discolored, cloudy, or contains particulates. Check expiry before preparation.

Benefits and Savings

Imfinzi helps control disease and extend survival in several settings. In unresectable stage 3 NSCLC, consolidation therapy improves progression-free and overall survival compared with observation. In extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, combining durvalumab with platinum-etoposide improves overall survival over chemotherapy alone. In biliary tract cancer, durvalumab with gemcitabine and cisplatin improves outcomes versus chemotherapy alone.

Fixed 1500 mg maintenance dosing offers predictable scheduling. Many patients transition to every-4-week infusions, which can reduce clinic visits after induction. The regimen is chemotherapy-free in some settings, and combinations integrate into standard pathways when chemotherapy is required.

You can view Imfinzi price, imfinzi cost per month, and imfinzi annual cost on the product page. Transparent Canadian pricing can provide 60–80% savings versus typical US prices. Multi-month supplies and occasional bulk promotions may lower the per-month cost further. Reorder reminders are available so you can stay on schedule for ongoing treatment.

For dose planning and budgeting, many clinics estimate durvalumab cost per dose based on body weight or fixed 1500 mg dosing. You can compare durvalumab price for vials and ask about Imfinzi 500mg price if your clinic requires larger-volume therapy. The same applies to durvalumab 1500mg scheduling, which can align with maintenance visits.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects: fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fever, rash, pruritus, musculoskeletal pain, and infusion-related reactions (chills, dizziness, flushing).
• Lab and endocrine changes: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, adrenal or pituitary changes, elevated liver enzymes or bilirubin, creatinine increases, electrolyte changes.
• Infection-related: upper respiratory infections, pneumonia risk when on combination chemotherapy.

Serious risks include immune-mediated pneumonitis, hepatitis, colitis, endocrinopathies (thyroiditis, hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency), nephritis, myocarditis, and severe dermatologic reactions. Early recognition and corticosteroid management are critical. Clinicians may hold or discontinue durvalumab for Grade 2–4 events. Use in pregnancy may harm a fetus; effective contraception is advised during treatment and for a period after the last dose. Breastfeeding is generally not recommended while receiving durvalumab.

Onset Time

Initial responses are usually assessed at the first restaging scan. Many programs perform imaging 6–12 weeks after starting therapy. Tumor control may be seen early, particularly in patients who complete induction chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer. Responses can deepen over months, and some patients achieve durable control with continued maintenance dosing.

In stage 3 NSCLC consolidation, risk reduction accrues over the first months of therapy and can persist after the 12-month course. In biliary tract cancer, clinical benefit often appears during combination cycles and is then maintained on durvalumab monotherapy. Individual timelines vary based on tumor type, burden, and prior therapy.

Compare With Alternatives

Other checkpoint inhibitors include pembrolizumab (PD-1) and atezolizumab (PD-L1). Choice depends on tumor type, line of therapy, biomarkers, and chemotherapy backbones. In extensive-stage SCLC, atezolizumab and durvalumab both have first-line data with platinum-etoposide; selection often reflects clinical factors and access.

Targeted therapies address specific oncogenic drivers. For EGFR-mutated NSCLC, the third-generation EGFR inhibitor Tagrisso® may be used instead of immunotherapy in appropriate lines, as sequencing with immunotherapy requires care to limit toxicity. Testing guides treatment selection.

Another PD-L1 antibody, Bavencio® (avelumab), is used in other cancers such as urothelial carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. While its indications differ, it illustrates class effects and safety patterns common to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.

Combination Therapy

• With etoposide plus carboplatin or cisplatin for first-line extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (induction), then durvalumab maintenance.
• With gemcitabine plus cisplatin for first-line biliary tract cancer, then maintenance monotherapy.
• With prior concurrent chemoradiation in unresectable stage 3 NSCLC as consolidation.
• With tremelimumab for selected hepatocellular carcinoma regimens where approved.
• Dose holds or corticosteroid tapers may be used to manage immune-mediated adverse events, with re-challenge decided by the oncology team.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Candidates include adults with unresectable stage 3 NSCLC after chemoradiation, first-line extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, and first-line biliary tract cancer, based on current approvals. Some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma may receive a durvalumab-based strategy in regions where available. Biomarker status may guide selection in certain cases, but durvalumab’s stage 3 NSCLC benefit was observed across PD-L1 expression levels.

Durvalumab may not suit patients with active autoimmune disease requiring systemic immunosuppression, a history of severe immune-mediated toxicity, uncontrolled interstitial lung disease, or organ transplant recipients where graft rejection risk is high. Caution applies with chronic infections (such as hepatitis B or C) and in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Baseline and periodic labs often include liver function, renal function, and thyroid function, with extra tests if symptoms arise.

You can reduce total treatment costs by planning ahead. Ordering a multi-month supply when appropriate can lower the per-month price. Bulk promotions may also reduce imfinzi cost for longer courses. You can set reorder reminders so you have vials on hand before each infusion. Choose express, cold-chain shipping to maintain temperature control during transit to the clinic or home.

For budgeting, patients and clinics often review imfinzi price alongside durvalumab cost per dose, imfinzi 1500mg maintenance schedules, and any support services available. You can compare imfinzi 500mg price and vial configurations to match your dosing plan.

Authoritative Sources

AstraZeneca Imfinzi product page

Health Canada Drug Product Database

FDA Prescribing Information for durvalumab (Imfinzi)

Order Imfinzi® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This content is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and your clinic’s protocols.