avelumab + lutetium-177 dotatate

This drug refers to a combination therapy consisting of the PD-L1 inhibitor **avelumab** and the radiopharmaceutical **lutetium-177 dotatate** (177Lu-DOTATATE). It is being investigated for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) in the GoTHAM clinical trial (NCT04261855). Lutetium-177 dotatate is a peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) that targets somatostatin receptors (SSTR), particularly SSTR2, which are highly expressed on the surface of Merkel cell carcinoma cells. Once bound, it delivers targeted beta-radiation to induce DNA damage and cell death. Avelumab is a human anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody that prevents the interaction between PD-L1 on tumor cells and PD-1 on T-cells, thereby restoring the immune system's ability to recognize and attack the cancer. The combination aims to leverage the potential synergistic effects of radiation-induced immunogenic cell death and checkpoint inhibition.

Brand names

BavencioLutathera

Other names

177Lu-DOTATATElutetium Lu 177 dotatateavelumabPRRTPeptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy