Camrelizumab (AiRuiKa)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: A monoclonal antibody directed against the negative immunoregulatory human cell surface receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1, PCD-1,) with immune checkpoint inhibitory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, camrelizumab binds to and blocks the binding of PD-1, expressed on activated T lymphocytes, B cells and natural killer (NK) cells, to its ligands programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), overexpressed on certain cancer cells, and programmed cell death ligand 2 (PD-L2), which is primarily expressed on antigen presenting cells (APCs). This prevents the activation of PD-1 and its downstream signaling pathways. This restores immune function through the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and cell-mediated immune responses against tumor cells or pathogens.

Toxicity management

• Immunotherapy toxicity management

Diseases for which it is used

• Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer, squamous
• Non-small cell lung cancer, nonsquamous

History of changes in NMPA indication

• 2019-05-29: Initial approval
• 2021-06-17: Approved combined with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) as a first-line treatment for the patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). (Based on CAPTAIN-1st)

Also known as

• Code names: HR-301210, SHR-1210
• Generic name: carrelizumab
• Brand names: AiRuiKa, Erica