We know how challenging it is to fight breast cancer. But with the advancement of medical science, new hopes are always added. Today we are talking about a drug that has brought such new hope, a drug that specifically targets and treats cancer cells. The name of this drug is Truqap.
What is Truqap? Is it different from regular medicine?
Truqap (capivasertib) is a targeted therapy for breast cancer. Now you may be wondering, "What is this targeted therapy?"
To put it simply, imagine a garden with a lot of weeds. Regular chemotherapy is like spraying the entire garden with herbicide. It can kill the weeds as well as the healthy plants. This means that while chemotherapy kills cancer cells, it can also harm healthy cells in our body.
But targeted therapy is like finding a weed and spraying it only. It identifies specific proteins that help cancer cells grow quickly, and stops them from doing so. This means that the damage to healthy cells is much less.
Truqap is one such targeted therapy. The US FDA approved the drug in 2023, specifically for advanced breast cancer that is hormone-positive (HR-positive) and has certain genetic changes. The drug is usually given in combination with another hormone therapy called fulvestrant.
How does Truqap work in the body?
Some patients with hormone-dependent (HR-positive) breast cancer have mutations in genes called PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN . Mutations in the AKT1 gene, in particular, can help cancer cells grow and divide very quickly.
What Truqap does is block the activity of a protein called AKT . It's like turning off a switch that speeds up the growth of cancer cells.
Not only that. Hormone-dependent cancer cells depend on hormones like estrogen in our blood to grow. That's why Truqap is given in combination with a hormone treatment called fulvestrant.
- Truqap: Inhibits the AKT protein that increases the growth rate of cancer cells.
- Fulvestrant: Prevents the hormone estrogen from reaching cancer cells.
Attacking from both sides in this way helps greatly in controlling the growth of cancer cells.
How do I know if this treatment is right for me?
Truqap treatment may be right for you in the following cases:
- If your cancer is advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) .
- If specific tests have confirmed that your cancer cells have the aforementioned genetic changes (PIK3CA, AKT1, PTEN) .
- If you have already received hormone therapy, and the cancer has come back during or after that treatment.
Most importantly, your oncologist will decide whether this medicine is right for you. He or she will examine the genetic changes in your cancer and review your complete medical history to make the final decision.
What are the side effects of Truqap? How can they be managed?
Like any medication, Truqap can cause side effects. Some of them can be serious. So it's important to be aware of these.
Below are the main side effects and what you should do if they occur.
| Side effect | What to do |
|---|---|
| High blood sugar | If you experience symptoms such as unusual thirst, frequent urination, or weight loss despite eating more, tell your doctor immediately . He or she will regularly test your blood sugar and do whatever is necessary to control your sugar levels. |
| Diarrhea | Tell your doctor as soon as you start having diarrhea. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and juice, to prevent dehydration. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you. |
| Skin reactions | If you notice any new skin lesions, worsening of existing lesions, redness of the skin, fever, blistering of the lips/eyes/mouth, skin blisters, or peeling of the skin , inform your doctor immediately . He or she will decide whether to continue taking the medication or change the dosage. |
In addition to these, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, fatigue, mouth sores, and changes in some blood test results.
Most importantly: Never stop taking your medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice. If you have any symptoms that are bothering you, talk to them about them.
Does Truqap interact with other medications or foods?
Yes, this is also a very important point. Truqap can interact with some other medications and foods. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including medications for other conditions, vitamins, and even herbal products).
This is because our body uses an enzyme called CYP3A to break down this drug and remove it from the body. Some medications and foods can change the way this CYP3A enzyme works.
- CYP3A Inhibitors: These inhibit the action of the CYP3A enzyme. This can cause Truqap to stay in the body longer and increase the risk of side effects. Some antibiotics and antifungals fall into this category. In particular, you should avoid drinking grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Truqap.
- CYP3A Inducers: These work by increasing the activity of the CYP3A enzyme. This can cause Truqap to be removed from the body more quickly, reducing its effectiveness . Some antibiotics (such as rifampicin) and some medications for HIV fall into this category.
Therefore, before starting any new medication, be sure to talk to your oncologist about it.
How do you know if the medicine is working?
Your doctor will monitor your condition regularly. He will perform tests such as blood tests, CT scans, and MRI scans to assess how well the medication is working. All you have to do is take the medication exactly as your doctor tells you.
Take-Home Message
- Truqap (capivasertib) is a targeted therapy for breast cancer. It specifically targets cancer cells, so it causes less damage to healthy cells.
- This treatment is suitable for cancers that are hormone-dependent (HR-positive), aggressive, and have specific genetic alterations (PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN).
- As side effects such as high blood sugar levels, diarrhea, and skin reactions may occur, report any unusual symptoms to your doctor immediately.
- Never stop taking medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about all other medications and dietary supplements you are taking.
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