dostarlimab at a glance
Medicine class
Humanised monoclonal antibody and immune-checkpoint inhibitor
Licensed role
Treatment of primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer in adults
Administration
Intravenous infusion given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic
Tumour testing
Validated dMMR or MSI-H testing is required when considering dostarlimab alone
What is dostarlimab used for?
Licensed uses in adults are:
With platinum-containing chemotherapy for primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer in people who are candidates for systemic therapy.
Alone for recurrent or advanced dMMR/MSI-H endometrial cancer that has progressed during or after previous platinum-containing treatment.
How does dostarlimab work?
Dostarlimab blocks the interaction of the PD-1 receptor with PD-L1 and PD-L2. This releases an immune-system checkpoint and restores T-cell activity against tumour cells.
dostarlimab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 500 mg
How to take dostarlimab
A cancer-treatment team prepares dostarlimab and administers it into a vein. It is not swallowed or self-injected and must not be given as an intravenous push or bolus. Keep the Patient Card with you and tell healthcare professionals that you receive dostarlimab.
Tell the treatment team promptly about new symptoms, even after treatment has ended.
Tell the team about allergies and all medicines, supplements and recent treatments.
When dostarlimab is given with chemotherapy, also follow the information for the other anticancer medicines.
dostarlimab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Rash, itching or dry skin
- Underactive thyroid
- Fever
- Raised liver-enzyme results
- When used alone: anaemia, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and joint pain may also be very common
Get urgent medical advice
- New cough, breathlessness or chest pain
- Persistent or severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain, or blood or mucus in stools
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual bruising or right-sided abdominal pain
- Marked thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, unusual drowsiness or fast, deep breathing
- Reduced or bloody urine, or ankle swelling
- Severe blistering, peeling or target-like rash, especially with mouth, eye or genital sores
- Chest pain, fainting, severe weakness, neurological symptoms or eyesight changes
- Wheezing, flushing, shaking, dizziness or collapse during or after an infusion
dostarlimab in pregnancy
Dostarlimab is not recommended during pregnancy because its immune-checkpoint effects may harm the developing baby. Discuss pregnancy, pregnancy plans and contraception with the specialist team. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for the specified period after the final administration.
dostarlimab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether dostarlimab enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for the specified period after the final administration; discuss feeding plans with the specialist team.
dostarlimab interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed, although conventional pharmacokinetic interactions are considered unlikely. The cancer team should review all medicines before treatment.
Systemic corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants
These may interfere with the intended immune response if already being used, although corticosteroids may be prescribed to treat immune-related adverse effects.
Common questions about dostarlimab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What type of cancer is dostarlimab used to treat?
Its licence covers adults with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The treatment context depends on previous therapy and tumour characteristics.
Is dostarlimab chemotherapy?
No. It is a monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, although it may be used alongside platinum-containing chemotherapy.
How is dostarlimab given?
A healthcare professional gives it as a diluted infusion into a vein in a hospital or clinic.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.