(en TREK ti nib)
Trade Name: Rozlytrek®
Drug Type: Entrectinib is a "tyrosine kinase inhibitor" (for more detail, see "How Entrectinib Works" below).
What Entrectinib Is Used For
- Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ROS-1 positive tumors
- Solid tumors with neurotrophic tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How Entrectinib Is Given
- This medication is given to you in capsule form. Swallow capsules whole. Do not crush, chew, open, or dissolve contents of the capsule. Take with or without food.
- Take this medication at about the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of entrectinib, make up the dose unless the next dose is within 12 hours.
- If you vomit directly after taking entrectinib, repeat dose.
The amount of entrectinib that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition you have. Your doctor will determine your exact dosage and schedule.
Side Effects
Important things to remember about the side effects of entrectinib:
- Most people will not experience all of the entrectinib side effects listed.
- Entrectinib side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration, and severity.
- Entrectinib side effects will improve after therapy is complete.
- Entrectinib side effects may be quite manageable. There are many options to minimize or prevent the side effects of entrectinib.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking entrectinib:
These are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving entrectinib
Not all side effects are listed above. Side effects that are very rare -- occurring in less than about 10 percent of patients -- are not listed here. But you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
When to Contact Your Doctor or Health Care Provider
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4º F (38º C) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24-hour period)
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Abnormal or fast heartbeat
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Black of tarry stools, or blood in your stools
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning with urination
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Swelling of the feet or ankles. Sudden weight gain.
- Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
- Changes in mental status including confusion, dizziness, mood, or balance
- Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Precautions
- Before starting entrectinib treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.). Do not take aspirin, products containing aspirin unless your doctor specifically permits this. St. John's Wort may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
- Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice during therapy.
- Do not receive any kind of immunization or vaccination without your doctor's approval while taking entrectinib.
- Inform your health care professional if you are pregnant or may be pregnant prior to starting this treatment. Pregnancy category D (entrectinib may be hazardous to the fetus. Women who are pregnant or become pregnant must be advised of the potential hazard to the fetus.).
- For both men and women: use contraceptives, and do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking entrectinib. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended for up to 3 months after last dose of enrectinib.
- Do not breast feed while taking entrectinib.
Self-Care Tips
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- Your may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
- Wash your hands often.
- To help treat/prevent mouth sores, use a soft toothbrush, and rinse three times a day with 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 8 ounces of water.
- Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
- Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
- To reduce nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small, frequent meals.
- Eat foods that may help reduce diarrhea (see managing side effects - diarrhea).
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- Remain active as you are able. Gentle exercise is encouraged such as a daily walk.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Monitoring and Testing While Taking Entrectinib
You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking entrectinib, to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy. Periodic blood work will be obtained to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) will also be ordered by your doctor.
How Entrectinib Works
Targeted therapy is the result of about 100 years of research dedicated to understanding the differences between cancer cells and normal cells. To date, cancer treatment has focused primarily on killing rapidly dividing cells because one feature of cancer cells is that they divide rapidly. Unfortunately, some of our normal cells divide rapidly too, causing multiple side effects.
Targeted therapy is about identifying other features of cancer cells. Scientists look for specific differences in the cancer cells and the normal cells. This information is used to create a targeted therapy to attack the cancer cells without damaging the normal cells, thus leading to fewer side effects. Each type of targeted therapy works a little bit differently but all interfere with the ability of the cancer cell to grow, divide, repair and/or communicate with other cells.
There are different types of targeted therapies, defined in three broad categories. Some targeted therapies focus on the internal components and function of the cancer cell. These targeted therapies focus on the internal components and function of the cancer cell. These targeted therapies use small molecules that can get into the cell and disrupt the function of the cells, causing them to die. These are signal transduction inhibitors. There are several types of targeted therapy that focus on the inner parts of the cells. Other targeted therapies target receptors that are on the outside of the cell. Therapies that target receptors are often monoclonal antibodies. Antiangiogenesis inhibitors target the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the cells, ultimately causing the cells to starve. Researchers agree that in many cases targeted therapies are not a replacement for traditional chemotherapy. They may work best if used in combination with traditional therapies. More research is needed to identify which cancers may be best treated with targeted therapies and to identify additional targets for more types of cancer.
Entrectinib belongs to the signal transduction inhibitor category of targeted therapies. It is a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.