Lenvatinib commonly known as Lenvima (manufactured by Eisai), was approved by US Food and Drug Administration in 2016 for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. This medication has been approved solely for the patients whose cancer has progressed even after receiving treatment from medications which blocks the tumour growth.
Lenvima is classified under the category of targeted therapy. The main aim for the medication which comes under this category is to target something specific to the cancer cells. Thus leading to less side effects caused by damage to healthy cells.
Lenvima cost information
Lenvatinib mechanism of action
Lenvatinib works in two phases –
• They create an interference in cells protein that promotes cell division.
• They block the VEGF receptor in damaged cells, these cells are responsible for the process called angiogenesis i.e. development of supply of blood to the tumour. Thereby cutting out the source of nutrients for the tumour cell.
In layman's terms this medication works on two stages –
• Cells – Lenvatinib blocks the signals that allow the cancer cells to survive and multiply.
• Blood vessels – Lenvatinib blocking the signals in blood cells, makes a hindrance in the survival and growth of blood vessels affected by tumour.
Some possible side effects of Lenvima / Lenvatinib?
Lenvima / Lenvatinib Side effects (Common) -
• constipation
• nausea
• rash
• peripheral edema
• decreased appetite
• protein in the urine
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• high blood pressure
• muscle or joint aches
• weight decrease
• stomatitis/oral inflammation
• cough
• abdominal pain
• dyspnea
Lenvatinib / Lenvima Side effects (Rare/Serious) -
• fast or irregular heartbeat or fainting
• high blood pressure
• blood clots
• heart problems like decreased ejection fraction or heart failure
• changes in kidney function
*In case any of the side effects becomes unbearable or uncontrollable, contact your Doctor / Hospital immediately.
On 2016, US FDA approved two similar medications for advanced kidney cancer - Lenvatinib (Brand Lenvima) in combination with Everolimus (Brand Afinitor) and, cabozantinib (brand Cabometyx). Both Lenvima and Cabometyx are multi-targeted agents in the cancer cells that hinder the activity of severalmolecular targets. Both theses drugs block the protein activity involved in angiogenesis which further blocks the growth and survival of tumor cells.
Lenvatinib approval was granted on the basis of a Randomised phase 2 clinical trial. This trial considered treatment of patients with 3 different medications – Lenvatinib in combination with everolimus (Group 1), lenvatinib alone (higher dose as compared to group 1 lenvatinib) (Group 2) and everolimus alone (group 3).
After the trial was finished, Patients in group 1 had a median progression free survival of 14.6 months as compared to patients in group 3; who had a progression free survival of 5.5 months.
Lenvatinib cost information
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the updated data from the above trial indicated an upward trend in overall survival as well as progression free survival for the patients who were enrolled in group 1 – lenvatinib in combination with everolimus; although this trend was not able to reach statistical significance.
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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