Pazopanib is an oral multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with a clinical anti-tumour effect. It is the first and only TKI currently approved to treat multiple histological subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). A soft tissue sarcoma is a group of about 100 different cancer types that form in the soft tissues of the body, including muscle, tendons, lymph vessels, and tissue around joints. The tumours can be found anywhere in the body but most often develop in the arms, legs, chest and abdomen. Initially developed as a small molecule inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, preclinical work indicates that Pazopanib exerts an anti-cancer effect by inhibiting angiogenic and oncogenic signalling pathways. It works by decreasing the blood supply to the cancer-affected area to slow down the growth of the tumour. (1)

How it works

Commonly sold under the brand name Votrient, Pazopanib is not a chemotherapy drug but one of the many “targeted therapies.” Targeted therapy is the result of about 100 years of research dedicated to understanding the differences between cancer cells and normal cells. Till date, cancer treatment has focused primarily on killing rapidly dividing cells because one feature of cancer cells is that they divide at a rapid growth. Unfortunately, some of our normal cells divide quickly, too, causing multiple side effects. Such targeted therapy is about identifying other features of cancer cells. (2)

Usage

This drug finds widespread usage in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. The actual dosage of Pazopanib that a patient will receive depends on many factors, like their general health and other ailments, including the type of cancer they are suffering from. The medication is administered in tablet form orally on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after eating. (2)

Side effects

The common side effects of this TKI includes: (3)

• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Altered senseof taste
• Nausea and vomiting(may be severe)
• Diarrhea
• Numbness/tingling/redness in hands or feet
• Changes in hair or skin colour
• Joint or muscle pain
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure(Hypertension),
• Pain in the tumour, stomach or abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Peeling rash
• Cough
• Swelling of extremities
• Mouth soresor swelling of the mouth or lips
• Hair loss
• Dizziness
• Chest pain

 

Precautionary measures (2)

• Before commencing treatment, make sure you inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.).
• While on a course of Pazopanib, consult your doctor before you take Aspirin.
• While taking Pazopanib, do not receive any kind of immunization or vaccination without your doctor’s approval.
• Inform your health care professional if you are pregnant or may be pregnant prior to starting this treatment.
• For both men and women: Use contraceptives and do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking Pazopanib. Barrier methods of contraception such as condoms are recommended.
• Do not breastfeed while consuming this drug.

 

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Disclaimer:

Anzen Export’s blog posts have been written with the information gathered from approved medical journals and websites online. Our research and technical team strive to provide relevant information through such articles. However, to be best informed, we advise consulting a doctor about an ingredient or medicine before taking it.

References:

1. PMC [online]

Available at : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6522548/

2. Chemocare [online]

Available at:

http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Pazopanib.aspx

3. RxList[online]

Available at:

 https://www.rxlist.com/votrient-side-effects-drug-center.htm