Table of Contents
What Is Axitinib?
If you are dealing with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), you might hear about Axitinib, which is a medication that doctors turn to when other treatments have not worked out for you. It is a cancer-fighting agent that gets in the way of harmful cells and helps destroy them. It is an anti-angiogenic cancer drug.
Axitinib belongs to a group of medicines called kinase inhibitors. Your doctor might use it on its own, or they might combine it with other medications like Avelumab or Pembrolizumab to give you the best shot at treatment. It comes in tablet form.
How Does Axitinib Work?
You might be wondering what Axitinib is. It is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), as doctors call it. It specifically targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3. By blocking these receptors, it basically cuts off the blood supply that tumors need to grow and spread.
What is impressive is that Axitinib is powerful, 50 to 450 times stronger than the first-generation VEGFR inhibitors that preceded it.
How does this cancer-fighting medication actually work for you? Cancer cells multiply because of an abnormal protein that keeps sending them "grow" signals. Axitinib steps in and blocks those signals, helping stop or at least slow the cancer from spreading throughout your body. It is like putting up a roadblock that cancer cells cannot get past.
What Are the Approved Uses of Axitinib?
So if you are dealing with advanced kidney cancer, Axitinib got the green light from the FDA (The Food and Drug Administration) back in January 2012. This medication is specifically designed for you if other treatments have not worked out.
Basically, when your first round of therapy does not do the trick for renal cell carcinoma (that is the medical term for kidney cancer), Axitinib steps in as your next option. It has been helping patients who need that extra support when their cancer has progressed despite previous treatments. Additionally, your doctor can also give you this medicine if you have thyroid cancer.
What Is the Recommended Dosage of Axitinib?
Everyone's needs are different. Your doctor knows best when it comes to how much medicine you should take. You should follow their instructions or check the label carefully. The amount you will need depends on how strong your medicine is, how often you take it each day, how long you wait between doses, and how long you will be on the medicine, all of which depend on what you are treating.
For treating kidney cancer:
Axitinib
For adults, you will start with 5 milligrams twice a day. Your doctor might tweak this based on how you are doing.
For children, your doctor will determine the correct dose.
Axitinib Plus Avelumab
For adults, you will take 5 milligrams twice a day, plus 800 mg of Avelumab every two weeks. Again, your doctor might adjust things as needed.
For kids, your doctor will determine what is right.
Axitinib Plus Pembrolizumab
For adults, your doctor will start with 5 milligrams twice a day, along with 200 mg of Pembrolizumab every three weeks. Your doctor can change this if necessary.
For kids, your doctor will work out the dose.
Missed Dose
Missed a dose? No worries. Just skip it and take your next one when you usually would. Do not double up to catch up. If you throw up after taking your medicine, just wait for your next scheduled dose. No need to take extra.
Overdosage
Think you have taken too much? Don't wait around; get in touch with poison control or head to the emergency room right away.
What Are the Side Effects of Axitinib?
While your medicine does what it is supposed to do, you might notice some not-so-great effects along the way. If you do experience them, you will want to give your doctor a heads-up.
Allergic reactions, or if your skin gets red and painful. You might also feel some numbness or that annoying tingling sensation. Some people even get itchy skin that starts peeling, especially on their hands and feet.
Heartburn.
Heart attack.
Heart failure.
Stomach pain.
Stroke.
Severe headache.
Confusion.
Hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid levels).
Blood in stools.
Red or dark brown urine.
Sudden pain and pressure in your chest.
Swelling in your ankles, hands, and feet.
Loss of appetite.
Seizure.
Shortness of breath.
Blurry vision.
Sunken eyes.
The following are also the side effects that you may face. These are worrisome if they do not go away.
Diarrhea.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Tiredness and weakness.
Fatigue.
Voice hoarseness.
Skin blistering on your hands and feet.
Who Should Avoid or Use Axitinib With Caution?
Those who should avoid Axitinib are described below:
First, let your doctor know if you are allergic to Axitinib itself, any other medicines, or any ingredients in the tablets.
If you are planning to have a baby or might already be pregnant, this is crucial information to share. You will need to take a pregnancy test before starting treatment and use birth control during treatment.
Males, the same goes for you: you and your partner need to use protection during treatment and for a week after you are done.
If pregnant while on Axitinib, call your doctor right away. This medication can harm the baby.
For nursing mothers, you will need to stop breastfeeding during treatment and wait two weeks after your final dose before starting again.
If you are planning any surgery, including dental work, make sure to mention you are taking Axitinib. Your doctor will have you stop the medication at least two days before surgery and let you know when it is safe to start again afterward.
If you have any preexisting kidney disease, you should not take this drug.
Children aged less than 18 years should avoid this drug.
Those who should use Axitinib with caution are as follows:
Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any unhealed wounds or if you have ever dealt with bleeding issues or blood clots.
If you have had any heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure in the past, you should inform your doctor first.
If you have diabetes (high blood sugar), high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, you should inform your doctor so that they can manage these conditions.
If you have brain cancer, stomach or intestinal bleeding, liver or kidney problems, or thyroid disease, you should tell your doctor.
If you are taking any medicines, including herbal medicines, you should tell your doctor, as Axitinib may interact with them.
What Are the Benefits of Axitinib in RCC?
If you are dealing with advanced kidney cancer (RCC), Axitinib will help you, especially if you have already tried other treatments. When used as your second treatment option, it can make a difference. It keeps your cancer from getting worse for longer.
Axitinib puts the brakes on tumor growth by cutting off the blood supply that cancers need to thrive. It blocks VEGFR, which stops new blood vessels from forming around your tumor.
Many patients see their tumors actually shrink when taking this medication. While Axitinib is not typically your first go-to treatment, it has become a really valuable option if your previous treatment stops working. When Axitinib is given with Pembrolizumab, it shows good results.
Conclusion
Axitinib is mainly given in the advanced cases of renal cancer. It is a powerful drug that works by cutting off the blood supply tumors need to grow. It can be used as a targeted therapy. You may experience side effects such as diarrhea, tiredness, or soreness in your hands and feet, but your doctor can help manage them by adjusting your dose. If you experience these side effects while taking this medicine, you should consult a cancer specialist for further evaluation.
Key Takeaways
For people with renal cell carcinoma, Axitinib is your best friend.
Axitinib will cut down the growth of your cancer cells and block their growth.
The latest research shows it works well on its own or combined with immunotherapy drugs to give you the best possible results.
