Is Votrient immunotherapy?
Votrient is not an immunotherapy medicine. It is known as a targeted drug therapy and is used to treat cancer. Targeted drug therapies affect the areas of cancer cells that are different from normal, healthy cells.
Votrient is a prescription oral therapy approved for adults to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) and soft tissue sarcoma (a tumor that develops around muscles, tendons, joints, organs, or blood vessels).
Targeted drug therapy like Votrient (pazopanib) works by blocking specific pathways that allow the cancer to grow uncontrolled.
- Targeted treatments find and attack specific types of cancer cells and may cause less damage to healthy cells.
- Even though Votrient targets specific proteins, it can still harm normal cells and cause serious side effects.
Specifically, Votrient is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor (VEGF/VEGFR inhibitor). VEGF helps to boost growth of blood vessels which supply nutrients to the tumor cells. By blocking these areas, Votrient helps to slow down blood vessel growth that fuels the cancer.
Immunotherapy works by boosting your natural immune system to fight off diseases such as cancer.
- Immunotherapy stimulates your own immune system so it works better to find and attack cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy can also affect normal cells in your body which may lead to side effects.
- Examples of immunotherapy include drugs like Keytruda, Opdivo and Tecentriq.
Related questions
- Does Votrient cure cancer or shrink tumors?
- How long does Votrient stay in your system?
- Is Votrient a chemotherapy treatment?
What are the common side effects that occur with Votrient?
Common side effects with Votrient that occurred in at least 20% of patients in studies include diarrhea, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, anorexia (loss of appetite) and hair color changes, among many other side effects.
Before you start treatment, be sure to discuss common and serious side effects due to Votrient with your healthcare provider.
Learn More:
Votrient Side Effects (in more detail)
This is not all the information you need to know about Votrient (pazopanib) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full Votrient information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Votrient prescribing information. 8/2020. Novartis Pharmaceuticals. East Hanover, NJ. Accessed Sept. 24, 2021 at https://www.novartis.us/sites/www.novartis.us/files/votrient.pdf
- Votrient.com. How Votrient may help. Accessed Sept. 24, 2021 at https://www.us.votrient.com/advanced-renal-cell-carcinoma/about-votrient/treatment/
- Targeted Drug Therapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma. American Cancer Society. Accessed Sept. 24, 2021 at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/soft-tissue-sarcoma/treating/targeted-therapy.html
Read next
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
How long does it take for Keytruda to work?
The time it takes for Keytruda to work can vary based on the type and stage of cancer. Typically, a response to treatment becomes apparent within 2-4 months of starting Keytruda. This timeframe is referred to as "time to response," which measures when a patient's cancer begins to show signs of responding to the treatment. You can find the specific "time to response" data from clinical trials in the table below. Continue reading
What is the difference between Opdivo and Keytruda?
Opdivo (nivolumab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) are two immunotherapy drugs for various cancers. Both are monoclonal antibodies, known as PD1 inhibitors, first approved in 2014. Opdivo is from Bristol Myers Squibb, and Keytruda is from Merck & Co. The main differences lie in dosing, combination therapies, and approved cancer types. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Pembrolizumab vs. nivolumab: How do they compare?
- How long does it take for Lenvima to work?
- How long do you take Lenvima?
- How does Nexavar work? Is it a chemo drug?
- How much does Afinitor cost per month?
- How are Inlyta and Keytruda used in kidney cancer?
- What is the success rate of Cabometyx (cabozantinib)?
- What is the difference between Mvasi and Avastin?
- How effective is Nexavar? Does it shrink tumors?
- How long can you take Afinitor for?
- What type of drug is Lenvima? Is it a chemo drug?
- How effective are Opdivo and Yervoy when taken together?
- How long do you take Sutent before it starts to work?
- Opdivo vs Opdivo Qvantig: What is the Difference?
- Does Cabometyx (cabozantinib) cure cancer?
- Does Sutent shrink tumors?
- How effective is Lenvima?
- Is Nexavar cost covered by Medicare?
- Is Sutent considered a chemotherapy drug?
- What is the difference between Cabometyx and Cometriq?
- Who makes Bavencio and where is it made?
- What type of drug is Bavencio?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Votrient (5 questions, 88 members)
- Pazopanib (4 questions, 19 members)
- Renal Cell Carcinoma (32 questions, 103 members)
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma (6 questions, 14 members)