durvalumab + gemcitabine

Durvalumab + gemcitabine is a **combination regimen** of two drugs: durvalumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits PD-L1, and gemcitabine, a nucleoside analog antimetabolite that inhibits DNA synthesis. This combination is used mainly in the treatment of advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer, often with the addition of cisplatin. **Durvalumab** acts by blocking PD-L1 from binding to its receptors PD-1 and CD80, promoting immune-mediated tumor cell killing (checkpoint inhibition). **Gemcitabine** is phosphorylated intracellularly and disrupts DNA synthesis, leading to cell death (cytotoxic antimetabolite). The combination is typically administered intravenously, and clinical trials including the phase III TOPAZ-1 study have shown improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone for advanced biliary tract cancer. The primary developer and manufacturer for durvalumab is AstraZeneca; gemcitabine was developed by Eli Lilly and is now available from multiple manufacturers worldwide[1][2][3][4][5][7].

Brand names

Imfinzi (for durvalumab)Gemzar (for gemcitabine)

Other names

durvalumab and gemcitabinedurvalumab combined with gemcitabine