The FDA has approved a new version of a cancer drug called Tecentriq Hybreza. This drug is a combination of atezolizumab, which helps the immune system fight cancer, and hyaluronidase, an enzyme that helps the medicine be absorbed when given as a shot under the skin. It is approved for several types of cancer: non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, and a rare cancer called alveolar soft part sarcoma.
Tecentriq Hybreza can be used alone or with other treatments. For example, it can be given after surgery for certain lung cancers, or as a first treatment for advanced lung cancer. This approval gives patients and doctors a new option that may be more convenient than the older IV version, because the shot takes less time and does not require an IV line.
However, it is important to know that this new shot is not the same as the IV version. The dose and how it is given are different, and it should never be given into a vein. Patients who are currently on the IV form should not switch without talking to their doctor first.
If you or a loved one has one of these cancers, ask your doctor if Tecentriq Hybreza might be a good choice. Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks based on your specific situation.