Hepatocellular Carcinoma or HCC is the most common type of liver cancer and is responsible for over 90% of liver cancer deaths. It is estimated that 600,000 new cases of HCC are diagnosed annually which amounts to about 5% of all the cancer cases.
The estimated survival time for HCC is 4 to 6 months as it carries a very poor prognosis. Chemotherapeutic agents have not yet shown any successful results in patients.
Sorafenib / Nexavar is approved by the FDA for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. As a result of recent trials in treating solid tumours like HCC.
Sorafenib is found to have positive effects in expanding the survival time of HCC patients. Sorafenib / Nexavar is a multikinase inhibitor.
Sorafenib when combined with the conventional transarterial chemoembolization improved time for progression, tumour response rate and progression-free survival when compared to treatment with Sorafenib alone.
Sorafenib / Nexavar Cost Information
Sorafenib / Nexavar Usage
Sorafenib tosylate is identifiable through the serial modification of the commercial Raf kinase inhibitor. It works by inhibiting or blocking the pathways that involves the proteins that enable tumour growth. Some of these functions have been proven successful through clinical trials while some functions are still are under consideration for confirmation.
Sorafenib is generally taken as an oral tablet twice in a day. It is primarily metabolized in the liver through oxidative metabolism by cytochrome p450 or by glucuronidation mediated by UGT1A9.
In patients with chronic liver disease, the metabolism is not altered. Dose adjustments are required due to factors such as body weight, age, gender and mild-moderate hepatic or renal impairment.
Sorafenib tablets comes in the doses of Brand Nexavar 200 mg tablets.
Sorafenib / Nexavar Price Information
Sorafenib Mechanism of Action
Sorafenib / Nexavar inhibits many kinases that are involved in tumour cell growth and its blood supply. These include:
Raf Raf is a serine / theoine kinase which when activated by localized membrane protein called Ras enables gene transcription in the nucleus. This leads to several tumour promoting effects.
VEGFR
VEGR is the main mediator of normal as well as tumour related angiogenesis. It enables this effect through several functions like induction of endothelial cell division & migration, reversal of endothelial cell aging and the promotion of endothelial cell survival.
It interacts with VEGFR which is found on the endothelial cell's surface. This leads to a several downstream proteins to be activated and autophosphorylation of intra-cellular receptor tyrosine kinase.
PDGFR
PDGF interacts with receptor capillary endothelial cell's surface. The interaction of PDGF to the receptors causes several changes on the endothelial cell motility and apoptosis.
Sorafenib / Nexavar Side Effects
Sorafenib side effects include:
• Easy and unusual bruises, heavy menstrual periods, ongoing bleeding.
• Bloody urine or stool, coughing and vomiting blood
• Dry coughs and wheezing
• Mouth sores
• Pain in upper stomach, loss of appetite, itchiness, jaundice and/or dark urine
• Chest pains, fainting and dizziness, swellings, sweating, shortness of breath and/or rapid weight gain
• Rapid heartbeats, pale skin, trouble in focusing, light-headedness
• High blood pressure, signs: severe headache, buzzing in ears, uneven heartbeats, seizure, confusion, blurred vision
• Rashes and severe pain in soles of the feet and palms of the hand
• Skin reactions, signs: swelled face or tongue, burning sensation in the eyes, skin pains followed by a red or purple skin rash (may lead to blistering and peeling of the skin), fever and/or sore throat
Some of the more common side effects include:
• Mild itching and rashes
• Weight loss and thinning hair
• Tiredness
• Vomiting, mild stomach pains and diarrhoea
Sorafenib Cost Information
The information provided on the page is meant for the purpose of being helpful and educational. It should not be considered as medical advice.
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