Drug

Durvalumab (Imfinzi)

PD-L1 inhibitor immunotherapy for lung, bile duct, liver, bladder, stomach and endometrial cancer

Updated: 27 October 20269 min read11 references
Generic name
Durvalumab
Brand names
Imfinzi
Drug class
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (PD-L1)
Route
Intravenous infusion
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Key points

  • Durvalumab (Imfinzi) is an immunotherapy drug: it releases the brake the cancer has put on the immune system [1].
  • It is used for lung cancer (before and after surgery, after chemoradiotherapy and in disease that has spread), bile duct, liver, womb, bladder and stomach cancer [1].
  • It is given as a 60-minute drip, usually every 3 or 4 weeks [1].
  • The most common side effects: cough, lung inflammation, tiredness, cold-like infections, shortness of breath and skin rash [1].
  • The main risk is immune-related inflammation, which can affect any organ, even after treatment ends; report any new symptom early [1] (immunotherapy side effects).
  • Women should avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose, and should not breastfeed [1].
For physicians

What is this drug and how does it work?

For physiciansDurvalumab
For physicians

Durvalumab (brand name Imfinzi) is a human IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody from the group of immunotherapy drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors [1].

The protein PD-L1 may be expressed on tumour cells and surrounding immune cells in response to inflammatory signals. By binding PD-1 and CD80 (B7.1), PD-L1 suppresses T-cell activity and activation and reduces their cytotoxicity, proliferation and cytokine production. Durvalumab binds PD-L1 and blocks its interaction with PD-1 and CD80, releasing the inhibition of the immune response [1].

Put simply, durvalumab releases the “brake” the tumour has put on the immune system. This immune activation sometimes makes the immune system attack healthy tissues too, which is the origin of immune-related adverse reactions [1].

Which cancers is it used for?

In endometrial cancer, patients are selected by mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) in a tumour sample [1]. Not every patient with these cancers is a candidate for this drug; the final decision rests with the treatment team.

For patients
What is this drug for?

Your doctor may prescribe this drug for:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer that can be removed by surgery [1]
  • Stage III non-small cell lung cancer that cannot be removed by surgery [1]
  • Non-small cell lung cancer that has spread [1]
  • Limited-stage small cell lung cancer [1]
  • Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer [1]
  • Advanced or spread bile duct cancer [1]
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma that cannot be removed by surgery [1]
  • Advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with dMMR [1]
  • High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (no previous BCG) [1]
  • Muscle-invasive bladder cancer [1]
  • Stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma that can be removed by surgery [1]
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma with chemoembolisation (not an FDA-labelled use) [1]

Whether it suits you depends on the type and stage of your cancer and your test results. Details of each use are in the section for doctors.

For physiciansApproved uses (FDA label) · Key evidence for each use
For physicians
Approved uses (FDA label)
CancerConditions of use
Resectable non-small cell lung cancerWith platinum-based chemotherapy before surgery, then as monotherapy after surgery; tumours of 4 cm or larger and/or node-positive, without known EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements [1]
Unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancerMonotherapy in patients without progression after concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy; up to 12 months [1]
Metastatic non-small cell lung cancerWith tremelimumab and platinum-based chemotherapy, without sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK alterations [1]
Limited-stage small cell lung cancerMonotherapy after concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy in patients without progression; up to 24 months [1]
Extensive-stage small cell lung cancerFirst line with etoposide and carboplatin or cisplatin, then monotherapy [1]
Advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancerWith gemcitabine and cisplatin, then monotherapy [1]
Unresectable hepatocellular carcinomaWith a single dose of tremelimumab (STRIDE regimen), then monotherapy [1]
Advanced or recurrent dMMR endometrial cancerWith carboplatin and paclitaxel, then monotherapy [1]
High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BCG-naive)With intravesical BCG (induction and maintenance); up to 13 cycles [1]
Muscle-invasive bladder cancerWith gemcitabine and cisplatin before radical cystectomy, then as monotherapy after surgery; up to 8 cycles after surgery [1]
Resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinomaWith FLOT before and after surgery, then monotherapy [1]
Hepatocellular carcinoma with chemoembolisation (not an FDA-labelled use)With bevacizumab and TACE; this use is not among the FDA label indications [1]

The table is based on the FDA label (revised August 2026); indications in other countries may differ. The last row is not an FDA-labelled use.

For physicians
Key evidence for each use
CancerKey evidence
Resectable non-small cell lung cancerAEGEAN trial: pathological complete response 17.2% vs 4.3% and hazard ratio for events 0.68 [1, 2]
Unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancerPACIFIC trial: 5-year overall survival 42.9% vs 33.4% [3]
Metastatic non-small cell lung cancerPOSEIDON trial: median overall survival 14.0 vs 11.7 months [1]
Limited-stage small cell lung cancerADRIATIC trial: median overall survival 55.9 vs 33.4 months compared with placebo [1, 4]
Extensive-stage small cell lung cancerCASPIAN trial: median overall survival 13.0 vs 10.3 months [1, 5]
Advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancerTOPAZ-1 trial: median overall survival 12.8 vs 11.5 months (hazard ratio 0.80) [1, 6]
Unresectable hepatocellular carcinomaHIMALAYA trial: median overall survival 16.4 vs 13.8 months compared with sorafenib [1, 7]
Advanced or recurrent dMMR endometrial cancerDUO-E trial: hazard ratio for progression or death 0.42 in the dMMR subgroup [1, 8]
High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BCG-naive)POTOMAC trial: hazard ratio for recurrence or death 0.68 [1]
Muscle-invasive bladder cancerNIAGARA trial: hazard ratio for events 0.68 and for death 0.75 [1, 9]
Resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinomaMATTERHORN trial: hazard ratio for events 0.71 and, at the final analysis, for death 0.78 [1, 10]
Hepatocellular carcinoma with chemoembolisation (not an FDA-labelled use)EMERALD-1 trial: median progression-free survival 15.0 vs 8.2 months [11]

How it is taken and dosing

Show detailsHide
Treatment regimens and doses: index11 regimens
For patients

Durvalumab is given at a treatment centre as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes [1]. Depending on the cancer and the regimen, infusions are usually given every 2, 3 or 4 weeks [1].

How long treatment lasts depends on the cancer; for example, after chemoradiotherapy in stage III non-small cell lung cancer up to 12 months, and in limited-stage small cell lung cancer up to 24 months, while in metastatic disease it continues until the disease progresses or a side effect cannot be tolerated [1]. In treatment before and after surgery (lung, bladder, stomach), the number of cycles is set in advance [1].

Before starting and regularly during treatment, liver enzymes, creatinine and thyroid function are checked [1].

For physicians
Shared safety points
  • Before starting: baseline liver enzymes, creatinine and thyroid function; confirm pregnancy status in women who could become pregnant; in endometrial cancer, determine dMMR with an approved test [1].
  • Infusion: after dilution in 0.9% saline or 5% dextrose (final concentration 1 to 15 mg/mL), over 60 minutes with a 0.2 or 0.22 µm in-line filter and through a separate line. Premedication is not routinely needed; after a grade 1 to 2 infusion reaction, consider premedication for later doses. On shared days, durvalumab before chemotherapy or BCG and after tremelimumab [1].
  • Monitoring during treatment: liver enzymes, creatinine and thyroid function periodically; blood glucose (type 1 diabetes); symptoms of pneumonitis, colitis, adrenal insufficiency and hypophysitis; weigh the patient before each infusion in the POSEIDON regimen [1].
  • Dose modification: no dose reductions are recommended; only withholding or permanent discontinuation (details in “Dose modification for immune-related adverse reactions” after the regimens) [1].
  • Weight below 30 kg: the dose is weight-based; the amount for each regimen is given in that regimen's note [1].
For physiciansRegimens and dosing in lung cancer (FDA label, revised 08/2026), 5 regimens · Regimens and dosing in biliary, liver, gastric, endometrial and bladder cancer (FDA label, revised 08/2026), 6 regimens · +1 more
For physicians

Regimens and dosing in lung cancer (FDA label, revised 08/2026)

Resectable NSCLC (before and after surgery)

Tumour of 4 cm or larger and/or N+, without known EGFR/ALK

Tumour of 4 cm or larger and/or N+‎, without known EGFR/ALK [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Neoadjuvant: up to 4 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 3 weeks
Platinum-based chemotherapyAs per those drugs' labelsIVSame day, after durvalumab
Adjuvant: up to 12 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 4 weeks
Cycle length
21 days before surgery; 28 days after surgery
Duration
Up to 4 cycles before and up to 12 cycles after surgery; earlier for progression that precludes surgery, recurrence or unacceptable toxicity [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 20 mg/kg on the same schedule [1].

Unresectable stage III NSCLC (consolidation)

No progression after concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapyCycle length: 14 or 28 days

No progression after concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Monotherapy
Durvalumab10 mg/kg or 1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusion10 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 1500 mg every 4 weeks
Cycle length
14 or 28 days
Duration
Until progression, unacceptable toxicity or a maximum of 12 months [1]

Weight below 30 kg: only 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks [1].

Metastatic NSCLC (POSEIDON regimen)

First line, without sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK alterations

First line, without sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK alterations [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Induction: 4 cycles
Tremelimumab75 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 3 weeks (given first)
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 3 weeks
Chemotherapy by histologyNon-squamous: carboplatin + nab-paclitaxel or carboplatin/cisplatin + pemetrexed; squamous: carboplatin + nab-paclitaxel or carboplatin/cisplatin + gemcitabineIVDay 1 (after durvalumab)
Maintenance (from cycle 5)
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks; ± pemetrexed every 4 weeks in non-squamous disease
Week 16
Tremelimumab (fifth dose)75 mgIV, 60-minute infusionWith the sixth durvalumab dose
Cycle length
21 days for the first 4 cycles, then 28 days
Duration
Durvalumab until progression or unacceptable toxicity; tremelimumab up to 5 doses [1]

Cycle 1: tremelimumab over 60 minutes, then durvalumab over 60 minutes 1 to 2 hours later, then chemotherapy 1 to 2 hours later; if there was no infusion reaction in cycle 1, in later cycles durvalumab may follow tremelimumab immediately and chemotherapy may start 30 minutes after durvalumab. If fewer than 4 platinum cycles are given, the remaining tremelimumab doses (up to 5 in total) are given every 4 weeks after the platinum phase. Weight below 30 kg: durvalumab 20 mg/kg and tremelimumab 1 mg/kg [1].

Limited-stage SCLC (consolidation)

No progression after concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapyCycle length: 28 days

No progression after concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Monotherapy
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 4 weeks
Cycle length
28 days
Duration
Until progression, unacceptable toxicity or a maximum of 24 months [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 20 mg/kg every 4 weeks [1].

Extensive-stage SCLC (CASPIAN regimen)

First line

First line [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Induction: 4 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 3 weeks
Etoposide + carboplatin or cisplatinAs per those drugs' labelsIVAfter durvalumab
Maintenance
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
Cycle length
21 days, then 28 days
Duration
Until progression or unacceptable toxicity [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 20 mg/kg every 3 weeks with chemotherapy, then 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks [1].

Doses follow the trial protocol, guideline or official drug label (source given in the notes of each regimen). Before prescribing, check blood counts, renal and hepatic function, drug interactions and the patient’s condition, and adjust the dose according to the drug label.

For physicians

Regimens and dosing in biliary, liver, gastric, endometrial and bladder cancer (FDA label, revised 08/2026)

Biliary tract cancer (TOPAZ-1 regimen)

Locally advanced or metastatic

Locally advanced or metastatic [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Combination: up to 8 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 3 weeks
Gemcitabine + cisplatinAs per those drugs' labelsIVAfter durvalumab
Maintenance
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
Cycle length
21 days, then 28 days
Duration
Until progression or unacceptable toxicity [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 20 mg/kg [1].

Unresectable HCC (STRIDE regimen)

With a single dose of tremelimumabCycle length: 28 days

With a single dose of tremelimumab [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Cycle 1
Tremelimumab300 mg (single dose)IV, 60-minute infusionDay 1 of cycle 1
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1 of cycle 1, after 60 minutes of observation
Continuation
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
Cycle length
28 days
Duration
Until progression or unacceptable toxicity [1]

Weight below 30 kg: tremelimumab 4 mg/kg and durvalumab 20 mg/kg [1].

dMMR endometrial cancer (DUO-E regimen)

Primary advanced or recurrent; dMMR by an approved test

Primary advanced or recurrent; dMMR by an approved test [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Combination: 6 cycles
Durvalumab1120 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 3 weeks
Carboplatin + paclitaxelAs per those drugs' labelsIVAfter durvalumab
Maintenance
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
Cycle length
21 days, then 28 days
Duration
Until progression or unacceptable toxicity [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 15 mg/kg in the combination phase, then 20 mg/kg [1].

High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (POTOMAC regimen)

BCG-naiveCycle length: 28 days

BCG-naive [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
13 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
BCG induction and maintenanceAs per the BCG labelIntravesicalOn shared days after durvalumab
Cycle length
28 days
Duration
Up to 13 cycles, or until high-risk recurrence, progression or unacceptable toxicity [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 20 mg/kg [1].

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NIAGARA regimen)

Before and after radical cystectomy

Before and after radical cystectomy [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Neoadjuvant: 4 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionDay 1, every 3 weeks
Gemcitabine + cisplatinAs per those drugs' labelsIVAfter durvalumab
Adjuvant: up to 8 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
Cycle length
21 days, then 28 days
Duration
4 cycles before and up to 8 cycles after surgery [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 20 mg/kg [1].

Resectable gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma (MATTERHORN regimen)

Before and after surgery with FLOTCycle length: 28 days

Before and after surgery with FLOT [1]

Before prescribing: Shared safety points
DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Neoadjuvant: up to 2 cycles
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
Before and after surgery
FLOTAs per the FLOT protocolIVDays 1 and 15 of each 4-week cycle
Adjuvant: up to 2 cycles with FLOT, then up to 10 cycles as monotherapy
Durvalumab1500 mgIV, 60-minute infusionEvery 4 weeks
Cycle length
28 days
Duration
Up to 12 cycles after surgery [1]

Weight below 30 kg: 20 mg/kg [1].

Before prescribing, check each dose against the drug label, laboratory tests and the patient’s condition.

For physicians
Dose modification for immune-related adverse reactions, kidney and liver
  • Immune-related adverse reactions: grade 2 pneumonitis: withhold; grade 3 to 4: discontinue permanently. Grade 2 colitis: withhold; grade 3: withhold or discontinue (discontinue permanently in regimens with tremelimumab); grade 4: discontinue permanently. Hepatitis without tumour liver involvement: ALT/AST above 3 to 8 times ULN or bilirubin above 1.5 to 3 times: withhold; ALT/AST above 8 times or bilirubin above 3 times: discontinue permanently. Nephritis (grade 2 to 3 creatinine): withhold; grade 4: discontinue permanently. Grade 2 to 4 myocarditis: discontinue permanently. Grade 2 neurological toxicity: withhold; grade 3 to 4: discontinue permanently. Grade 1 to 2 infusion reaction: interrupt or slow the rate; grade 3 to 4: discontinue permanently. Inability to taper corticosteroids to prednisone 10 mg/day or less within 12 weeks: discontinue permanently [1].
  • Kidney and liver: mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 to 89 mL/min) or hepatic impairment (bilirubin up to 3 times ULN) has no clinically important effect on pharmacokinetics; the effect of severe impairment is unknown [1].

Side effects

Common side effects

For patients

The most common side effects:

  • Tiredness, cough, shortness of breath, cold-like infections and skin rash [1].
  • Lung inflammation, especially if it is given after chemoradiotherapy to the lung [1].
  • An underactive thyroid (tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain), which is usually treated with thyroid tablets [1].
  • When given with chemotherapy: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, poor appetite, hair loss and numbness of the hands and feet [1].
  • Report any new or worsening symptom early; it may be the first sign of an immune side effect [1].
For physiciansMonotherapy after chemoradiotherapy in lung cancer
For physicians

Common adverse reactions depend on the type of cancer and the partner drugs. Examples from the FDA label [1]:

  • Monotherapy after chemoradiotherapy in lung cancer: cough 40%, pneumonitis or radiation pneumonitis 34%, fatigue 34%, upper respiratory tract infection 26%, dyspnoea 25% and rash 23%; hypothyroidism 12% vs 1.7% with placebo [1].
  • Monotherapy in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (ADRIATIC trial, 262 patients): pneumonitis or radiation pneumonitis 38% and fatigue 21% [1].
  • With gemcitabine and cisplatin in biliary tract cancer: fatigue, nausea, constipation, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, rash and pyrexia (each in 20% of patients or more) [1].
  • With tremelimumab in hepatocellular carcinoma: rash, diarrhoea, fatigue, pruritus, musculoskeletal pain and abdominal pain (each in 20% of patients or more) [1].
  • With FLOT in gastric cancer: diarrhoea, nausea, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, alopecia, decreased appetite, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting, musculoskeletal pain, pyrexia and stomatitis (each in 20% of patients or more) [1].

Some of these reactions (such as alopecia or neuropathy) are seen with combination regimens. Patients should report any new or worsening symptom to the treatment team, as it may be a sign of an immune-related adverse reaction [1].

Serious side effects

For patients

Immunotherapy sometimes makes the immune system attack healthy organs too. These side effects can happen at any time, even after treatment has ended [1] (immunotherapy side effects):

  • Lungs: a new cough, shortness of breath or chest pain [1].
  • Liver: yellow skin or eyes, dark urine [1].
  • Bowel: diarrhoea, abdominal pain or blood in the stool [1].
  • Glands: severe tiredness, dizziness, severe headache, thirst and passing a lot of urine [1].
  • Skin, kidneys, heart, nerves and eyes: rash or blisters, passing less urine, palpitations, muscle weakness, blurred vision [1].
  • A reaction during the infusion and harm to an unborn baby [1].
For physicianshas no boxed warning
For physicians

Durvalumab has no boxed warning, but its immune-related adverse reactions can be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ and at any time, and can appear even after treatment stops [1]. Frequencies in 1889 patients receiving monotherapy (unless stated otherwise) [1]:

  • Pneumonitis: in PACIFIC (after chemoradiotherapy) 18.3% vs 12.8% with placebo; fatal in 1.1% and grade 3 in 2.7% [1].
  • Hypothyroidism: 8.3%, often requiring long-term thyroid hormone replacement; hyperthyroidism: 2.1%; thyroiditis: 0.5% [1].
  • Immune-mediated hepatitis: 2.8% (fatal in 0.2%); with tremelimumab in HCC: 7.5% [1].
  • Colitis: 2%; with tremelimumab in HCC, immune-mediated colitis or diarrhoea: 6% [1].
  • Immune-mediated dermatological reactions (rash or dermatitis): 1.8% [1].
  • Adrenal insufficiency: 0.5%; nephritis: 0.5%; type 1 diabetes: below 0.1%; hypophysitis: below 0.1% [1].
  • Immune-mediated pancreatitis: 2.3% with tremelimumab in HCC [1].
  • Infusion-related reactions: 2.2% (grade 3: 0.3%) [1].
  • Allogeneic stem cell transplantation: serious and sometimes fatal complications in patients receiving an allogeneic transplant before or after these drugs [1].
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity: in animal studies, giving durvalumab to pregnant monkeys was associated with more premature delivery, fetal loss and early neonatal death [1].

Other rare immune-related adverse reactions listed in the label for prompt attention include aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, immune thrombocytopenia, myocarditis, haemolytic anaemia, myositis, uveitis, keratitis and myasthenia gravis [1].

When should I call my doctor?

Contact your treatment team straight away if you have any of these new or worsening symptoms [1]:

  • Cough, shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Diarrhoea or more frequent bowel movements, black tarry stools or stools with blood or mucus, severe abdominal pain
  • Yellow skin or eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of the abdomen, dark urine, bleeding or bruising easily
  • A persistent or unusual headache, palpitations, extreme tiredness, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, dizziness or fainting, feeling cold
  • Passing less urine, blood in the urine, swollen ankles
  • Rash, itching, blistering or peeling skin, painful sores in the mouth, nose, throat or genital area
  • Upper abdominal pain with severe nausea or vomiting (possible pancreatitis)
  • An irregular heartbeat, confusion, a stiff neck, balance problems, numbness or weakness of the arms or legs, double or blurred vision, severe muscle pain or weakness
  • During or after an infusion: chills, itching, flushing, wheezing, dizziness, fever, back or neck pain

In severe cases (such as severe shortness of breath, chest pain or reduced consciousness), call your local emergency number.

Interactions, pregnancy and precautions

Drug interactions: the FDA label for durvalumab has no section on drug interactions [1]; even so, tell your doctor the full list of your prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements [1].

Tell your doctor before starting if you have: an autoimmune disease (such as Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis or lupus), had an organ or corneal transplant, had an allogeneic stem cell transplant, had chest radiotherapy, or have a nerve disease such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome [1].

Pregnancy and contraception: a pregnancy test is done before treatment. Women who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose; for the partner drugs (such as chemotherapy) the period needed may differ [1].

Breastfeeding: do not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose [1].

Vaccines: the FDA label gives no specific advice about vaccination during treatment [1]; talk to your treatment team before any vaccine.

Missed appointment: if you miss an infusion, contact your treatment team as soon as possible to rearrange it [1].

Older adults: the main studies reported no overall clinically important difference in safety or effectiveness between patients aged 65 and over and younger patients [1].

Children: the safety and effectiveness of durvalumab in children have not been established [1].

Frequently asked questions

Is durvalumab chemotherapy?

No. Durvalumab is an immunotherapy antibody that removes the brake on the immune response by blocking PD-L1 [1]. In some cancers it is given with chemotherapy, for example with gemcitabine and cisplatin in bile duct cancer [1].

Why is durvalumab given after chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer?

In stage III non-small cell lung cancer that cannot be removed by surgery and has not grown after chemoradiotherapy, durvalumab is given as consolidation treatment for up to 12 months [1]. In a large study, after 5 years about one more person in every 10 patients was alive with durvalumab [3].

Does this drug make your hair fall out?

On its own after chemoradiotherapy, hair loss is not among the common side effects reported [1]. With chemotherapy combinations, such as with etoposide and platinum in small cell lung cancer or with FLOT in stomach cancer, hair loss is common [1].

How long does each infusion take?

Each infusion takes about 60 minutes [1]. In the regimen with tremelimumab for hepatocellular carcinoma, tremelimumab is given first over 60 minutes and durvalumab after 60 minutes of observation, so that session is longer [1].

Can side effects appear after treatment has ended?

Yes. Immune-related side effects can appear at any time during treatment or even after it ends [1]. If you notice a new symptom after treatment has ended, tell your doctor that you have had durvalumab.

Scientific evidence

Show detailsHide

Key studies

7 items
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Five-Year Survival Outcomes From the PACIFIC Trial: Durvalumab After Chemoradiotherapy in Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

J Clin Oncol · 2022
42.9% vs 33.4%5-year overall survival
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Durvalumab after Chemoradiotherapy in Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer

N Engl J Med · 2024
55.9 vs 33.4 monthsMedian overall survival
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Durvalumab plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer

NEJM Evid · 2022
12.8 vs 11.5 monthsMedian overall survival
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Perioperative Durvalumab with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Operable Bladder Cancer

N Engl J Med · 2024
67.8% vs 59.8%24-month event-free survival
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Durvalumab with or without bevacizumab with transarterial chemoembolisation in hepatocellular carcinoma (EMERALD-1): a multiregional, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study

Lancet · 2025
15.0 vs 8.2 monthsMedian progression-free survival: durvalumab + bevacizumab vs placebo
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Tremelimumab plus Durvalumab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

NEJM Evid · 2022
16.43 (STRIDE) vs 13.77 months (sorafenib)Median overall survival
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Perioperative Durvalumab in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

N Engl J Med · 2025
67.4% vs 58.5%Two-year event-free survival

References

11 references
Show all references, 10 with a study cardClose the reference list

Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.

  1. 1
    IMFINZI (durvalumab) injection, for intravenous use: Prescribing InformationAstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP · DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · 2026
  2. 2
    Perioperative Durvalumab for Resectable Non–Small-Cell Lung CancerHeymach JV, Harpole D, Mitsudomi T, Taube JM, Galffy G, Hochmair M, et al · N Engl J Med · 2023;389:1672-1684
  3. 3
    Five-Year Survival Outcomes From the PACIFIC Trial: Durvalumab After Chemoradiotherapy in Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung CancerSpigel DR, Faivre-Finn C, Gray JE, Vicente D, Planchard D, Paz-Ares L, et al · J Clin Oncol · 2022;40:1301-1311
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2
  4. 4
    Durvalumab after Chemoradiotherapy in Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung CancerCheng Y, Spigel DR, Cho BC, Laktionov KK, Fang J, Chen Y, et al · N Engl J Med · 2024;391:1313-1327
  5. 5
    Durvalumab plus platinum–etoposide versus platinum–etoposide in first-line treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (CASPIAN): a randomised, controlled, open-label, phase 3 trialPaz-Ares L, Dvorkin M, Chen Y, Reinmuth N, Hotta K, Trukhin D, et al · Lancet · 2019;394:1929-1939
  6. 6
    Durvalumab plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Advanced Biliary Tract CancerOh DY, He AR, Qin S, et al · NEJM Evid · 2022;1:EVIDoa2200015
  7. 7
    Tremelimumab plus Durvalumab in Unresectable Hepatocellular CarcinomaAbou-Alfa GK, Lau G, Kudo M, et al · NEJM Evid · 2022;1:EVIDoa2100070
  8. 8
    Durvalumab Plus Carboplatin/Paclitaxel Followed by Maintenance Durvalumab With or Without Olaparib as First-Line Treatment for Advanced Endometrial Cancer: The Phase III DUO-E TrialWestin SN, Moore K, Chon HS, Lee JY, Thomes Pepin J, Sundborg M, et al · J Clin Oncol · 2024;42:283-299
  9. 9
    Perioperative Durvalumab with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Operable Bladder CancerPowles T, Catto JWF, Galsky MD, et al · N Engl J Med · 2024;391:1773-1786
  10. 10
    Perioperative Durvalumab in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction CancerJanjigian YY, Al-Batran SE, Wainberg ZA, et al · N Engl J Med · 2025;393:217-230
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    Durvalumab with or without bevacizumab with transarterial chemoembolisation in hepatocellular carcinoma (EMERALD-1): a multiregional, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 studySangro B, Kudo M, Erinjeri JP, et al · Lancet · 2025;405:216-232

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