Dasatinib is a prescription drug that is mainly used to treat specific forms of leukemia. It is sold under the trade name Sprycel. Dasatinib, a member of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) medication class, is essential in stopping the spread of some types of cancer by focusing on aberrant proteins that fuel unchecked cell division.

Dasatinib is available in a number of dosages, including 20 mg. Depending on the patient’s condition, weight, response to therapy, and tolerance to side effects, this dosage is usually used as part of a customized treatment plan.

What is Dasatinib (Sprycel)?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized dasatinib as an oral chemotherapy drug for the following conditions:

Children and adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Philadelphia chromosome-positive patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

A genetic anomaly called the Philadelphia chromosome, which results in the fusion gene BCR-ABL, is what defines these leukemias. The aberrant tyrosine kinase protein that this fusion gene generates instructs cells to divide uncontrollably. Inhibiting this kinase is how dasatinib slows or stops the development of cancer cells.

Mechanism of Action

Although dasatinib targets a variety of tyrosine kinases, it works most well against the Philadelphia chromosome-produced aberrant protein BCR-ABL. Dasatinib inhibits this protein’s function and stops leukemia cells from proliferating by attaching itself to it. Additionally, it inhibits other kinases that are important in the growth and survival of cancer cells, such as SRC-family kinases.

When other drugs may no longer be effective, dasatinib’s multi-targeted action makes it a potent choice for treating resistant or advanced-stage illness.

Dosage and Administration

Tablets containing 20 mg, 50 mg, 70 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, and 140 mg of Sprycel are among its various strengths. The dose of 20 mg is frequently utilized:

Especially in children or those who need lower cumulative daily dosages, as part of a combination dosing regimen

In dose modifications due to adverse effects or impaired liver or renal function

When reducing dosage because of better response or long-term care

It is important to take dasatinib precisely as directed by a physician. The tablets should not be chewed or mashed; they are swallowed whole, with or without food. Although the frequency and timing of dosages can change, it is usually given once daily.

Side Effects

Dasatinib may have adverse effects, some of which may be severe, like any other medicine. Typical adverse effects consist of:

Weariness

Vomiting or feeling queasy

Having diarrhea

A headache

Rashes on the skin

Pain in the abdomen

The following are more severe possible adverse effects:

Low blood cell counts (thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia)

retention of fluid, particularly pleural effusion

Hypertension in the lungs

QT prolongation, a problem with heart rhythm

Changes in kidney or liver function

Regular blood tests and clinical examinations are essential for properly monitoring patients in order to determine how their bodies are reacting to the medicine.

Precautions and Warnings

Prior to beginning Dasatinib 20 mg treatment:

Any current liver, lung, or cardiac issues should be disclosed to the patient’s physician.

Antacids, antifungals, and certain antibiotics are among the medications that dasatinib may interact with.

Dasatinib should not be taken by women who are pregnant or nursing since it may affect the developing fetus or baby.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided by patients since they may exacerbate side effects and disrupt drug metabolism.

Patients must notify their doctor right once of any odd symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained bruising, due to the danger of bleeding and fluid retention.

Effectiveness and Monitoring

Patients with Ph+ CML and ALL, especially those who are resistant or intolerant to other TKIs like imatinib, have demonstrated a great degree of success with dasatinib in attaining remission. Numerous individuals report increased survival rates and a notable decrease in cancer cell counts.

Monitoring consists of:

Checks for complete blood counts (CBCs)

Tests for kidney and liver function

ECGs (electrocardiograms) for cardiac monitoring

In certain situations, routine bone marrow tests

Storage and Handling

Tablets of Sprycel should be kept at room temperature, away from heat sources and moisture. Tablets should be kept out of children’s reach and hands should be cleaned after handling them. It is important to dispose of any unused or expired medication in accordance with pharmacy or local standards.

Conclusion

A targeted medicine called dasatinib 20 mg (Sprycel) has completely changed how some leukemias are treated. Patients have a useful treatment option thanks to its capacity to block aberrant proteins that cause cancer, particularly when other medications are ineffective. It is still a mainstay of contemporary leukemia treatment, helping to extend survival and enhance quality of life even though it necessitates close observation and control of side effects.

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1. What is the purpose of the medication Sprycel?
Adults with recently diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase (CP) can be treated with the prescription drug SPRYCEL® (dasatinib).
Imatinib is one therapeutic option for adults with Ph+ CML who no longer benefit from it or who did not tolerate it.

2. What is the duration of Sprycel’s treatment?
For myeloid blast phase CML, the median length of treatment with SPRYCEL 140 mg once day was 3 months (range 0.03–29 months), for lymphoid blast CML, it was 3 months (range 0.1–10 months), and for accelerated phase CML, it was 15 months (range 0.03–36 months).

3. What is Sprycel’s success rate?
The 12-month cCCyR treatment milestone was reached by 77% of SPRYCEL participants. The Year 5 treatment milestone was reached by 83%. In patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML, 16.7% of patients treated with SPRYCEL experienced drug-related significant adverse events (SARs).

4. Why does SPRYCEL cost so much?

Sprycel can only be purchased as a name-brand medication. There isn’t a generic version available. A generic drug is a precise replica of the active component found in a name-brand prescription. Generic medications are typically less expensive than name-brand ones.