Retevmo: A Breakthrough Medication For Advanced Cancers

Retevmo (Selpercatinib) is a medication used to treat certain advanced cancers that test positive for RET gene fusion. It is the first and only RET inhibitor to receive both tumor-agnostic accelerated approval and traditional approval in NSCLC. Retevmo is an oral therapy that can be taken at home. Retevmo is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. It is available in capsule form and is taken orally.

FDA Details

Retevmo for the treatment of specific cancers linked to abnormal RET genes. It is intended for use in patients aged 12 and above with advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer featuring a RET gene alteration. This accelerated approval was granted based on clinical trial outcomes, with the FDA mandating additional studies by the manufacturer to validate the drug’s clinical effectiveness.

Uses and Indications Of Retevmo

Retevmo is a kinase inhibitor indicated for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring a RET gene fusion, as detected by an FDA-approved test. It is also approved for adult and pediatric patients aged 12 and older with advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) with a RET mutation and for those with advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer with a RET gene fusion, as detected by an FDA-approved test and requiring systemic therapy. 

Additionally, it is indicated for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors bearing a RET gene fusion that has progressed after prior systemic treatment or for whom satisfactory alternative treatment options are lacking.

Mechanism of Action

Selpercatinib is a kinase inhibitor that blocks the activity of RET, a protein involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Retevmo can slow down or even stop cancer growth by blocking the activity of RET.

Clinical Trials

Retevmo was approved based on the results of clinical trials. In one clinical trial, 55% of patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC who received Retevmo had a response to treatment. In another clinical trial, 69% of patients with RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who received Retevmo had a response to treatment. This medicine’s most common side effects are changes in laboratory tests, dry mouth, edema, diarrhea, high blood pressure, fatigue, rash, and constipation.

Safety Advice And Side Effects

Retevmo has some potential side effects that patients should be aware of. These include:

• Impaired wound healing
• Bleeding problems
• Lung problems
• Allergic reactions
• Hypertension
• Hypothyroidism

Patients should talk to their doctor about their concerns regarding Retevmo and report any side effects they experience. It is important to follow the instructions of the doctor and the medication label when taking Retevmo.

In clinical trials of Retevmo, common adverse reactions (of any grade) were seen in more than 20% of patients and included diarrhea, edema, fatigue, dry mouth, hypertension, abdominal pain, and rash. Some patients experienced serious adverse reactions, with 44% reporting such events. The most frequent serious adverse reactions, affecting 2% or more of patients, included pneumonia, pleural effusion, abdominal pain, bleeding, hypersensitivity, dyspnea, and hyponatremia. Tragically, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3% of patients, with causes encompassing sepsis, respiratory failure, hemorrhage, pneumonia, pneumonitis, cardiac arrest, and sudden death.

Conclusion

Retevmo is a breakthrough medication that has shown promising results in treating certain advanced cancers that test positive for RET gene fusion, which is available in available as Retevmo 80mg and 40mg capsules. While it has some potential side effects, Retevmo is effective in clinical trials and has been approved by the FDA. Patients should talk to their doctor about their concerns regarding Retevmo and report any side effects they experience. It is important to follow the instructions of the doctor and the medication label when taking Retevmo. Retevmo price in India depends on the product requirement. Request more details by contacting our Patient Support Team at ‎(+91) 93157 05373 or help@sansfro.com.   

Reference

1. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/213246s008lbl.pdf
2. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/drug-trials-snapshots-Retevmo
3. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lillys-Retevmo-selpercatinib-demonstrates-superior-progression-free-survival-compared-to-approved-multikinase-inhibitors-in-ret-mutant-medullary-thyroid-cancer-301906139.html
4. https://www.curetoday.com/view/Retevmo-improves-ret-mutant-thyroid-cancer-outcomes