Atezolizumab

The Basics

What is Atezolizumab?

Used to treat urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, small cell lung cancer, and heptatocellular carcinoma.

Brand names for Atezolizumab

Tecentriq

How Atezolizumab is classified

Antibodies – Monoclonal, Antineoplastic Agents, Biological Response Modifiers, Immunologic Adjuvants, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Atezolizumab During Pregnancy

Atezolizumab pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Atezolizumab while pregnant

N/A

Taking Atezolizumab While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Atezolizumab?

No information is available on the clinical use of atezolizumab during breastfeeding. Because atezolizumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of 145,000, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, atezolizumab should be used with caution or avoided during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during atezolizumab therapy and for at least 5 months after the last dose. Atezolizumab is a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody. Holder pasteurization (62.5 degrees C for 30 minutes) decreases the concentration of endogenous immunoglobulin G in mature milk by 60 to 79%.[1][2] A study of 67 colostrum samples that underwent Holder pasteurization found that IgG amounts decreased by 34 to 40%. Specific IgG subclasses decreased by different amounts, with IgG1 activity decreasing by about 37%.[3] None of the studies measured IgG activity.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the clinical use of atezolizumab during breastfeeding. Because atezolizumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of 145,000, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, atezolizumab should be used with caution or avoided during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during atezolizumab therapy and for at least 5 months after the last dose. Atezolizumab is a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody. Holder pasteurization (62.5 degrees C for 30 minutes) decreases the concentration of endogenous immunoglobulin G in mature milk by 60 to 79%.[1][2] A study of 67 colostrum samples that underwent Holder pasteurization found that IgG amounts decreased by 34 to 40%. Specific IgG subclasses decreased by different amounts, with IgG1 activity decreasing by about 37%.[3] None of the studies measured IgG activity.

Possible effects of Atezolizumab on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Atezolizumab

None listed