Key Summary
- MHRA approves inavolisib for certain HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancers
- Slows disease progression in patients with specific gene changes after hormone therapy
- Comes with common side effects, and safety will be monitored closely
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved inavolisib (Itovebi) to treat adults with HR-positive, HER2-negative type breast cancer.
The oral film-coated pills help fight breast cancers that have made a comeback during or soon after hormone therapy, and has spread to other parts of the body.
It delays the progression of the illness while giving more time for the patients to undergo appropriate treatments.
The drug is suitable only for patients whose cancer has specific changes in its genes, and who have not undergone other cancer treatments.
Some of the common side effects include high blood sugar, inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis), diarrhoea, tiredness, anaemia, nausea, decreased appetite, rash, headache, weight loss, vomiting, and urinary tract infections.
People are urged to take immediate medical help in case of any side effects.
“The approval of inavolisib provides a new targeted treatment for people with advanced breast cancer that has returned or spread after hormone therapy,” commented Julian Beach, interim executive director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA.
However, she added, “As with all licensed medicines, we will continue to monitor its safety and effectiveness closely as it becomes more widely used.”
