For someone battling cancer or a family member of someone battling cancer, hearing about a new drug brings great hope on one hand. But at the same time, it is normal to feel a little scared and curious. 'What kind of drug is this?', 'What are the side effects?', 'Will this really help?' You probably have many questions in your mind. That is why, today we are talking about one such advanced anti-cancer drug, Sacituzumab Govitecan. Let us talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Sacituzumab Govitecan?
Simply put, this is a very clever, targeted medicine. We call it "Targeted Therapy." It's a combination of two main parts. Think of it this way.
1. Monoclonal Antibody: This is like a special forces member in our army. This antibody is designed to go directly to cancer cells and attach to a special protein on their surface. This means it can only recognize cancer cells without causing much harm to healthy cells.
2. Chemotherapy: This is the medicine that destroys cancer cells.
What happens now is this. The antibody, which acts like a special forces unit, carries this anti-cancer drug like a parcel. It goes, attaches itself directly to the cancer cell, and delivers that parcel of medicine right into the cancer cell. This method greatly reduces the damage to healthy cells, as in regular chemotherapy, and increases the ability to specifically destroy cancer cells .
Currently, this medicine is mainly used for:
- For some types of breast cancer
- For cancer of the urinary tract (Urothelial Cancer)
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before giving you this medicine, it is very important that your doctor knows your complete health history. Because that information will determine how suitable and safe this medicine is for you. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, do not hide anything from your doctor .
- If you have frequent diarrhea .
- If you currently have any infection (for example, viral infections such as chickenpox, herpes, colds, flu).
- If you have any liver disease .
- If previous blood tests have shown that you have low white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets .
- If you have an allergy to this Sacituzumab Govitecan medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, this is very important.
How do you get this medicine?
This is not a medicine that you swallow like a pill. It is given to you as an infusion into a vein, like saline . This treatment is usually given in a hospital or a specialized cancer clinic, under the supervision of a doctor or trained nursing staff. Therefore, you do not have to take this medicine home.
The dose of the medicine is determined by the doctor based on your condition, so the chances of getting an overdose are very low. However, if you suspect that something has happened, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
It is not a good idea to miss your scheduled appointment. If for some reason you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, it is important to call your doctor immediately and reschedule.
Side effects that may occur during treatment
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause side effects. But not everyone gets them. The most important thing is to be aware of these symptoms and seek medical advice as soon as possible if necessary. Let's break these side effects down into two categories.
| Sacituzumab Govitecan side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Symptoms to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Rash, severe itching, redness of the skin; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Diarrhea and vomiting | Severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills , sore throat, cough, burning or pain when urinating. |
| Symptoms of Anemia | Unusual fatigue, weakness, fainting, falling while walking, and difficulty breathing. |
| 🙂 Symptoms that may occur normally, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Hair Loss | Hair loss may occur during treatment. |
| Changes in the digestive system | Constipation, loss of appetite. |
| Other features | Headache, insomnia, extreme fatigue. |
| Increased blood sugar | Constant thirst and hunger, frequent urination, blurred vision. |
Things to pay particular attention to
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
This is very important! Women should avoid getting pregnant completely while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping treatment. Men should avoid fathering a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping treatment. This is because this medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
Also, avoid breastfeeding your baby during treatment and for 1 month after stopping.
This medicine may cause ovarian failure in some women. This may affect your ability to have children in the future. If you have any concerns or fears about this, talk to your doctor about it openly.
Risk of infection
This medicine may slightly weaken your body's immune system, which means you're more likely to get sick, especially infections.
- If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills , cough, or sore throat, do not take medication like paracetamol on your own, but tell your doctor immediately . Some painkillers (aspirin, ibuprofen) suppress fever, so you may not be able to tell if you have an infection.
- Stay away from people who are sick and crowded places as much as possible.
- Wash your hands often with soap.
Take-Home Message
- Sacituzumab Govitecan is an advanced, targeted drug for breast and urinary tract cancers.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- This medicine is given through a vein in a hospital. Do not miss the scheduled treatment dates.
- It is very important to completely avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding during treatment and for a period of time as prescribed by your doctor.
- If allergic symptoms (rash, swelling) or signs of infection (fever, cough) occur, seek medical advice immediately.
- Don't be shy about talking to your doctor about any questions or concerns you have. He or she is there to help you.
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