avelumab

Definition of avelumab

avelumab (a-VEL-yoo-mab): A drug that binds to the protein PD-L1 to help immune cells kill cancer cells better and is used to treat different types of cancer. Avelumab is used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer), urothelial cancer (a type of cancer in the bladder or urinary tract), and Merkel cell carcinoma (a rare type of skin cancer). It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Avelumab may block PD-L1 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody and a type of immune checkpoint inhibitor. Also called Bavencio.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms