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• THE MECHANISM OF ACTION [19659004] "The fundamental element that distinguishes atezolizumab is its direct, selective and complete mechanism of action, which represents a novelty compared to the anti-PD-1 on the market," adds Ciardello . It is direct because it precisely targets the PD-L1 protein in the tumor cells and in the immune cells infiltrated into the tumor in order to reactivate the T cells; it is selective because it preserves the interactions between PD-L2 and PD-1, thus helping to reduce autoimmune reactions in healthy tissues, increasing the tolerability of the drug and reducing side effects; finally, it is complete because it prevents the binding of PD-L1 to other proteins, such as the B71 receptor present in certain types of lymphocytes, both in the tumor and in the lymph nodes
[19659003] • THE BENEFITS [19659003] The positive effects of this mechanism of action have emerged from the results of the Oak study: patients treated with atezolizumab survive longer than those receiving docetaxel – standard chemotherapy – even if they do not have high levels of PD -L1. In addition, the new drug causes fewer side effects. "The approval of AIFA by atezolizumab as a second-line treatment is an important step for doctors and patients." The drug offers, in fact, a benefit in terms of overall survival and tolerance to a large population of patients with NSCLC lung carcinoma, regardless of their clinical or molecular characteristics.In particular, second-line atezolizumab has shown better efficacy than chemotherapy and, in particular making an indirect comparison, better data than nivolumab in patients with a negative expression of PD-L1, accounting for about 40% of cases in clinical practice, "said Filippo de Marinis, director of the Division of Oncology thoracic of the European Institute of Oncology in Milan.
• GOOD NEWS FOR MORE THAN 75
The efficacy of atezolizumab has also been found in the elderly over 75 years of age and in those with a progression of brain metastases , two types of patients who until now have not benefited from the second-line therapies available. "For us specialists, this drug represents a new opportunity for important prescription treatment, more effective than chemotherapy and more tolerable than PD-1 inhibitors, as evidenced by data on the incidence of severe pneumonitis related to Use of two clbades of drugs: about 0.4% with anti PD-L1 as atezolizumab against 1% of anti-PD-1. "
• MORE THAN THE SECOND LINE
Atezolizumab is also at the center of studies that they evaluate the action as the first therapeutic option, again for patients with NSCLC cancer. The results, presented at the annual conference of the Society Medical oncology (ASCO) data have been encouraging.The data from the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a form of cancer difficult to treat, are equally good.However, lung carcinoma n & # 39; 39; is not the only area of application of atezolizumab: indeed, this molecule is currently being studied in several indications, including cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, the cervicofacial district and metastatic bad cancer triple negative.
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