immunotherapy drugs<\/a> that can be used to treat mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. They are also known as anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 medications and work by turning off specific proteins that cancer cells can use to hide from the immune system.<\/p>\nPD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors for mesothelioma include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n- Atezolizumab (Tecentriq\u00ae)<\/li>\n
- Avelumab (Bavencio\u00ae)<\/li>\n
- Durvalumab (Imfinzi\u00ae)<\/li>\n
- Nivolumab (Opdivo\u00ae)<\/li>\n
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda\u00ae)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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A 2025 study<\/strong> of more than 1,300 people with pleural mesothelioma found that PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors helped patients live longer than chemotherapy. About 6 in 10 people were still alive after one year, and many had their cancer shrink or stop growing.<\/p>\nKey Facts on PD-1 & PD-L1 and Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n\n- Types of mesothelioma treated:<\/strong> Pleural mesothelioma (which develops in the lining of the lungs) and peritoneal mesothelioma (which affects the abdominal lining)<\/li>\n
- When PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors are used:<\/strong> Typically given through an intravenous (IV) injection and combined with other treatments like chemotherapy and surgery<\/li>\n
- Potential side effects:<\/strong> Constipation, cough, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, skin rash, and other flu-like symptoms<\/li>\n
- Patient eligibility factors:<\/strong> Cancer type, stage, and overall health<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Get our Free Immunotherapy Guide<\/strong> to learn how PD-1\/PD-L1 inhibitors and other immunotherapy treatments could help you live longer.<\/p>\n