What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
The FDA has approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy for adults and children aged 2 years or older with stage III colon cancer. This treatment is specifically for tumors that test positive for deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR). It is given after surgery to help keep the cancer from returning.
Colon cancer occurs when cells in the colon grow out of control. In stage III colon cancer, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant organs. Tumors with dMMR have a higher rate of genetic changes. Tecentriq is an immunotherapy drug that works by blocking a protein called PD-L1. Blocking this protein helps your body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
Why Was It Approved?
The FDA approved this new combination based on results from a large clinical study called ATOMIC. The study included 712 patients with stage III dMMR colon cancer who had completed surgery to remove their tumors. Patients were placed into two groups. One group received chemotherapy alone for six months. The other group received Tecentriq plus chemotherapy for six months, followed by Tecentriq alone for another six months.
The study measured disease-free survival, which is how long patients lived without their cancer coming back. The results showed that adding Tecentriq to chemotherapy reduced the risk of cancer returning or death by 50% compared to chemotherapy alone. After three years, 86.3% of patients who received Tecentriq were alive and free of cancer, compared to 76.2% of patients who received chemotherapy alone. Most side effects were mild to moderate, though severe side effects were slightly more frequent in patients receiving Tecentriq with chemotherapy.
What Do I Need to Know?
Tecentriq is given as an infusion directly into a vein by a healthcare provider. When used for stage III dMMR colon cancer, it is given along with chemotherapy every two weeks for six months, followed by Tecentriq alone every two weeks for another six months. Your healthcare provider will determine the right schedule for you.
Tecentriq can cause your immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs in your body. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice new or worsening symptoms, such as a cough, shortness of breath, severe diarrhea or stomach pain, yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual headaches, or changes in how often you urinate.
The most common side effects of Tecentriq plus chemotherapy for colon cancer include feeling tired, nausea, constipation, stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, cough, fever, mouth sores, and numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet.
Before starting treatment, tell your healthcare provider if you have an autoimmune disease, have received an organ or stem cell transplant, or have lung or nerve problems
Tecentriq can harm a fetus. If you can become pregnant, you should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment and use effective birth control during treatment and for at least five months after the final dose. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for five months after your last dose.