How does Retevmo work?

Retevmo is a selective RET kinase inhibitor that blocks certain enzymes to slow the growth of cancers caused by abnormal RET genes. Blocking RET in cancer tumors can slow cancer growth.

Retevmo is considered a targeted drug therapy that blocks specific pathways that allow cancer to grow uncontrolled.

• It is used to treat RET-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), medullary thyroid cancer and other thyroid cancers, and certain other solid tumors with RET gene fusions in patients with advanced or metastatic RET (rearranged during transfection)-driven tumors.
• The generic name for Retevmo (pronounced reh-TEHV-moh) is selpercatinib. It is manufactured by Eli Lilly and was first approved in May 2020.

What is the mechanism of action for Retvmo?

The mechanism of action of Retevmo involves turning off the production of RET in RET-driven cancers. Abnormal alterations in genes can cause cancer growth. One gene that may change is called RET (rearranged during transfection) and it has been identified in certain types of cancer.

RET is normally used to help our cells to talk to each other (called “cell signaling") to ensure healthy cell functioning, but if you have a gene change, RET can be activated non-stop to lead to uncontrolled cancer cell growth. Blocking RET in cancer tumors can slow cancer growth.

RET genes in cancer can fuse to another gene and this is called RET fusion. RET can be found in lung cancer, thyroid tumors and other solid cancers (such as pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer).

Is Retevmo a chemotherapy drug?

No, Retevmo is considered a targeted drug therapy, not a traditional chemotherapy agent. It is given by mouth as an oral capsule or tablet, not through a vein.

• Targeted drug therapy like Retevmo works by blocking specific pathways that allow the cancer to grow uncontrolled. Targeted drug therapies find and attack specific types of cancer cells and may cause less damage to healthy cells; however, common and serious side effects may still occur, even to healthy cells.
• Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly growing cancer cells, but also can affect normal cells.
• Patients are selected for treatment with Retevmo based on a specific biomarker test.

Retevmo may cause serious side effects, such as severe or life-threatening problems with your lungs (inflammation / swelling), liver, heart or other body systems. It can cause problems with high blood pressure, heart rhythm changes, or bleeding.

Common side effects with Retevmo may include: fluid retention (swelling or edema), diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, high blood pressure (hypertension), stomach area (abdominal) pain, constipation, rash, nausea, and headache.

Your doctor or pharmacist should give you a handout to learn how to recognize these side effects and when you should call your doctor.

This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor about what you should expect for side effects during treatment.

Learn More: Side Effects and Warnings for Retevmo

Related Questions

• Is small cell or non-small cell lung cancer worse?
• Is non-small cell lung cancer hereditary?
• How aggressive is non-small cell lung cancer?

How do I take Retvmo?

Retevmo is given as an oral capsule or tablet taken twice daily (approximately every 12 hours) until your disease worsens or you experience intolerable side effects. You can take it with or without food. Swallow your medicine whole, do not crush or chew it.

Your doctor will determine your dose, which is based on your weight. Always take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes it.

This is not all the information you need to know about Retevmo for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full Retevmo product information and discuss any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.