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A type of immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor that blocks the PD-L1 protein receptor on cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors release the ‘brakes’ on the immune system enabling T cells to kill cancer cells more effectively. Avelumab is used in combination with axitinib to treat advanced kidney cancer. Avelumab is the chemical (or generic) name of the drug, while Bavencio is the brand (or trade) name under which the drug is licensed and sold.

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