cemiplimab at a glance
Class
PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor
Main roles
Selected cutaneous squamous-cell, basal-cell, non-small-cell lung and cervical cancers
Administration
Intravenous infusion given by a specialist cancer team
Important safety point
Immune-related inflammation can affect almost any organ and may begin after treatment stops
What is cemiplimab used for?
UK-licensed uses in adults include:
Metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma when curative surgery or radiotherapy is unsuitable.
Adjuvant treatment of cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiotherapy.
Locally advanced or metastatic basal-cell carcinoma after progression on, or intolerance of, a hedgehog-pathway inhibitor.
First-line treatment of specified locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, alone or with platinum-based chemotherapy according to PD-L1 expression and tumour genetics.
Recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer that has progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
How does cemiplimab work?
PD-1 acts as a brake on T cells when it binds PD-L1 or PD-L2. Cemiplimab blocks PD-1, allowing stronger T-cell responses against tumour cells. This immune activation can also inflame healthy tissues.
cemiplimab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 350 mg
How to take cemiplimab
Cemiplimab is not taken at home. A healthcare professional dilutes the concentrate and gives it into a vein. Tell the nurse immediately if chills, fever, rash, swelling, dizziness or breathing difficulty develops during administration.
Attend requested blood tests and clinical reviews.
Tell the team about all medicines, autoimmune conditions, previous lung inflammation, infections and any organ or stem-cell transplant.
Carry the patient alert card and show it to other healthcare professionals.
cemiplimab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tiredness
- Muscle, joint or other musculoskeletal pain
- Rash or itching
- Diarrhoea, nausea, constipation or abdominal discomfort
- Reduced appetite
- Cough
- Anaemia
- Headache or fever
Get urgent medical advice
- Lung inflammation: new cough or breathlessness
- Bowel inflammation: persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, or blood or mucus in stools
- Liver inflammation: jaundice, dark urine or right-sided abdominal pain
- Hormone-gland inflammation or diabetes: profound tiredness, dizziness, severe headache, unusual thirst or frequent urination
- Kidney inflammation: reduced urine or unexplained severe tiredness
- Heart or nerve inflammation: chest pain, weakness, numbness, confusion, fainting or vision changes
- Severe skin reaction: widespread painful rash, blistering, peeling, or mouth, eye or genital sores
- Severe infusion reaction: breathing difficulty, facial swelling, faintness or marked dizziness
cemiplimab in pregnancy
Cemiplimab is not recommended during pregnancy unless the expected clinical benefit outweighs the potential fetal risk. Effective contraception is advised during treatment and for at least four months afterwards. Contact the specialist team promptly if pregnancy occurs or is planned.
cemiplimab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether cemiplimab enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. Avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for at least four months afterwards; discuss feeding options with the oncology and maternity teams.
cemiplimab interactions
Formal pharmacokinetic interaction studies have not been performed. Give the oncology team a current list of prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products.
Systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants
Starting these before cemiplimab may reduce its immune activity, although they may be required after treatment begins to manage immune-related toxicity.
Common questions about cemiplimab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is cemiplimab chemotherapy?
No. It is an immunotherapy that blocks the PD-1 immune checkpoint. For some lung cancers it is licensed alongside platinum-based chemotherapy.
Can side effects start after treatment stops?
Yes. Immune-related reactions can appear during treatment or after it ends, so report new symptoms promptly.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.