Atezolizumab (brand name: Tecentriq) is given by a slow intravenous (IV) infusion into your vein, usually once every 2, 3 or 4 weeks. Your initial infusion may last 60 minutes, and infusion times after this may be reduced to 30 minutes, based on your tolerability. A health care provider will give you this infusion, often in a clinic setting.

Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with atezolizumab. You will typically keep using this medicine until your disease worsens or you have side effects that require you to stop treatment.

You may be given other medications as part of your treatment regimen, either given at the clinic or to take at home. Take these medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

How is atezolizumab (Tecentriq) used in cancer?

Atezolizumab is approved to treat several different types of cancer. It’s effectiveness and your length of response will depend upon your diagnosis, previous treatments, and other medical conditions, among other factors. Cancer treatment is always individualized for each patient.

Atezolizumab (Tecentriq), from Genentech, was first approved in May 2016 and is used to treat:

• advanced melanoma (skin cancer)
• metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
• liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
• alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), a rare soft tissue tumor

In December 2022, Genentech voluntarily withdrew the U.S. accelerated approval for Tecentriq in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC, bladder cancer) in patients who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. Results from the IMvigor130 study did not meet the endpoint of overall survival (OS) for Tecentriq plus chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone.

In March 2021, Genentech voluntarily withdrew the U.S. accelerated approval for Tecentriq in prior-platinum treated metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC, bladder cancer). Other bladder cancer uses were not affected. Results from study IMvigor211 did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival in the PD-L1 high patient population.

In August 2021, Genentech voluntarily withdrew the U.S. accelerated approval for Tecentriq in combination with albumin-bound paclitaxel for adults with triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). This is not related to any changes in either the effectiveness or safety associated with Tecentriq.

Learn More

For dosage information, see atezolizumab dosage

Bottom Line

• Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) is given by a slow intravenous (IV) infusion into your vein, usually once every 2, 3 or 4 weeks. A health care provider will give you this infusion, often in a clinic setting.
• Your initial infusion typically lasts for 60 minutes, and infusions after this may be reduced to 30 minutes, based on how well you tolerate the medicine.
• Your time at the clinic will usually be longer than this, due to preparation beforehand and needed observation after the infusion. Ask your health care provider how long you can expect to be at the clinic.

This is not all the information you need to know about atezolizumab (Tecentriq) for safe and effective use. Review the full Tecentriq information here, and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.