Encorafenib IS AN ORAL SMALL MOLECULE BRAF INHIBITOR DEVELOPED BY ARRAY BIOPHARMA IN THE UNITED STATES. In the Chinese market, the French company Pierre Fabre has obtained an exclusive commercialization license for the drug. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved the combination of Encorafenib in combination with bimetinib for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung disease (NSCLC) confirmed by the FDA-approved test confirmed to have a BRAF V600E mutation.
What are the side effects of Encorafenib?
The side effects of Encorafenib involve multiple systems, including systemic reactions, digestive system reactions, skin and appendage reactions, nervous system reactions, etc., and the side effects and symptoms and degree of reactions vary from patient to patient.
1. Adverse reactions in the treatment of Encorafenib combined with bimetinib (≥25%)
Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, arthralgia.
2. Adverse reactions of Encorafenib combined with cetuximab (≥25%)
Fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, acne-like dermatitis, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, arthralgia, and rash. Before using Encorafenib, patients should be fully aware of its potential side effects and should take the drug under the guidance of a doctor. At the same time, the patient's physical condition should be closely monitored during the treatment process, and the treatment plan should be adjusted in time to reduce or avoid the occurrence of side effects.
Patients should be aware of common adverse reactions and intervene in a timely manner when relevant symptoms occur; Patients should also be aware of the specific population for which the drug is used.
Who is the special user of Encorafenib?
Understanding the specific drug use groups of drugs can help patients reduce avoidable drug risks and better protect patients. According to the drug label, the information on the use of Encorafenib for special populations includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Pregnant women
Given the embryotoxic nature of Encorafenib, pregnant women should use the drug with caution and it is strongly recommended to do so under the guidance of a medical professional.
2. Lactating females
It is possible that the medicinal components of Encorafenib can be passed on to infants and young children through breast milk, so breastfeeding women are advised to avoid breastfeeding.
3. Pediatric patients
The safety and efficacy of Encorafenib in pediatric patients has not been fully validated, so pediatric patients should be thoroughly evaluated by their physician before use and carefully decided whether to use it.
4. Elderly patients
Although specific lesions after the use of Encorafenib in elderly patients have not been observed at the moment, it is still recommended to use the drug under the guidance of a doctor.
5. Patients with impaired liver function
In patients with mild hepatic impairment, adjusting the dose of Encorafenib is generally not recommended. However, the recommended dose for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment is not well established and a specialist should be consulted for specific guidance.
6. Patients with impaired renal function
In patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, adjustment of the dose of Encorafenib is generally not recommended. However, for patients with severe renal impairment, the recommended dose has not been established, and it is recommended that these patients take Encorafenib under the guidance of a physician.
Patients should follow the guidelines for the use of drugs in special populations and take drugs under the guidance of doctors; Patients and physicians should also be concerned about the dosage requirements of the drug.
How is Encorafenib used?
Regarding the dosage requirements of Encorafenib, according to the drug instructions, they are organized as follows:
1. For patients with BRAF-V600E or V600K gene mutations that cannot be surgically removed or have metastasized
The recommended regimen is 450 mg (i.e., 6 75 mg capsules) once daily in combination with bimetinib and continued until the condition worsens or the patient develops intolerable side effects. For specific guidance on the use of bimetinib, please refer to its independent drug label.
2. For patients with colorectal disease (CRC) who have metastasized with BRAF-V600E gene variation
The recommended dose is 300 mg (i.e., 4 75 mg capsules) once daily in combination with cetuximab until the disease progresses or the patient develops intolerable toxicity. For detailed information on the use of cetuximab, please refer to its proprietary drug insert.
Before initiating Encorafenib therapy, patients should fully understand the possible side effects and take medication under the guidance of a medical professional. During treatment, the patient's health status should be continuously monitored so that the treatment plan can be adjusted in a timely manner to effectively reduce or prevent the occurrence of side effects.
