Cemiplimab (Libtayo)

Mechanism of action

From NCI Drug Dictionary: A human monoclonal antibody directed against the negative immunoregulatory human cell surface receptor programmed cell death 1 (PD-1, PCD-1) protein, with potential immune checkpoint inhibitory and antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, cemiplimab binds to PD-1, inhibits its binding to the PD-1 ligand programmed cell death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), and prevents the activation of its downstream signaling pathways.

Diseases for which it is used

• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

History of changes in FDA indication

• 9/28/2018: Initial approval "for patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) or locally advanced CSCC who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation."

Also known as

• Code name: REGN2810
• Generic name: cemiplimab-rwlc
• Brand name: Libtayo