What's the mechanism of action for tucatinib?
Tucatinib (Tukysa) is a human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) inhibitor that works by blocking the HER2 protein to help slow or stop cancer cell growth in patients with advanced breast cancer or colorectal cancer. Some cancers have an over-expression of the HER2 protein causing increased growth and spread of cancer cells.
Tucatinib, an oral targeted drug therapy, is very selective for the HER2 protein and works inside the cell. Tucatinib binds to tyrosine kinase (an enzyme) of HER2, reducing PI3-kinase and MAP-kinase signaling. Reduced signaling helps to block cell growth and leads to cell death. Tucatinib is classified as a HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Related information: List of HER2 Inhibitors
How is tucatinib used?
- Tucatinib (Tukysa) is used with the medicines trastuzumab (Herceptin) and capecitabine (Xeloda) in adult patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, including cancer that has spread to the brain. It is given to patients who have already received one or more anti-HER2 breast cancer treatments, but are no longer effective.
- It is also used in combination with trastuzumab to treat adult patients with RAS wild-type HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy.
- It is used when the cancer has spread in the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed with surgery (unresectable).
The FDA approved Tukysa for colorectal cancer under an "accelerated approval". This means that continued approval for this use may depend upon results of further clinical studies looking at its effectiveness in colorectal cancer.
This is not all the information you need to know about Tukysa (tucatinib) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full product information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related questions
References
- Tukysa (tucatinib) product information. Seagen. Bothell, WA. Revised 1/2023. Accessed Jan 25, 2023 at https://docs.seagen.com/TUKYSA_Full_Ltr_Master.pdf
- Tukysa.com. Mechanism of Action. Seagen Inc. Accessed April 22, 2021 at https://www.tukysahcp.com/videolibrary
Read next
How long do letrozole side effects last?
Most side effects of letrozole are mild and temporary, lasting only a few days or weeks until your body gets used to taking the medication. Some other side effects of letrozole take a few months to develop and tend to persist long term until you stop taking letrozole. The half-life of letrozole is 2 days, so once you stop taking letrozole, you might continue to experience side effects for about a week to 10 days after your last dose. Continue reading
What happens when you stop taking letrozole?
When you stop taking letrozole, side effects such as swelling, cough, hot flashes, and nausea, should improve within a week or 10 days. Some, such as high cholesterol, bone loss, and hair thinning may take many months to resolve. As long as you have taken it for at least 5 years, then letrozole should continue to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back for many years after you stop taking it. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 years, but may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on individual circumstances. Continue reading
What is the success rate of Keytruda?
In general, PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors like Keytruda have been shown to significantly prolong overall survival (OS) in some patients with various cancer types, but Keytruda does not always work for everyone. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Why are my nipples sore? 7 possible causes
- Does anastrozole cause hair loss?
- How do you relieve joint pain associated with tamoxifen or Aromasin?
- How long does Ibrance extend life?
- What does anastrozole do to your body?
- Is letrozole a form of chemotherapy?
- What are monoclonal antibodies?
- What is the success rate of Enhertu in metastatic breast cancer?
- What is the lifetime or cumulative dose for Adriamycin?
- Does Femara make your hair fall out?
- Why give Taxol (Paxel) before carboplatin?
- What is Herceptin? Is Herceptin a chemo drug? How does it work?
- Does letrozole affect blood sugar levels?
- How does AC (Adriamycin and Cytoxan [cyclophosphamide]) work for Breast Cancer?
- Will insurance pay for the cost of Ibrance?
- What is the success rate for Femara in breast cancer?
- What are 10 key Ibrance side effects to watch out for?
- Treatments for Menopause
- What are the long-term side effects of Adriamycin?
- Why do you need to take Xeloda with food?
- Is it common to lose hair AFTER stopping tamoxifen?
- Which is better - Aromasin or Femara?
- How long do you take Verzenio for?
- How long can you stay on Herceptin and Perjeta?
- How long does Herceptin stay in your body?
- What is Paxel called in the USA?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Tucatinib (3 questions, 3 members)
- Tukysa (3 questions, 3 members)
- Breast Cancer (127 questions, 310 members)
- Colorectal Cancer (19 questions, 53 members)