What Is Cabozantinib and How Is It Used in Kidney Cancer?

Cabozantinib (brand names Cabometyx for kidney cancer and Cometriq for other cancers) is a targeted therapy drug used to treat advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It works by blocking multiple pathways that help cancer cells grow and spread, especially those involved in tumor blood supply and cell signaling.

Cabozantinib is commonly used:

• As a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab
• As a second-line option if other treatments have failed

How Does It Work?

Cabozantinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It targets several key proteins such as VEGFR, MET, and AXL, which are involved in:

• Angiogenesis (growth of blood vessels that supply tumors)
• Tumor cell survival and movement
• Drug resistance in cancer cells
• By blocking these pathways, cabozantinib starves tumors of nutrients and slows their growth.

How Is It Taken?

• Taken orally as a tablet, usually once daily
• Doses are typically 60 mg per day, but may be adjusted based on tolerance
• It should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating
• Treatment continues as long as it’s working and side effects are manageable.

Common Side Effects

Like all targeted therapies, cabozantinib can cause:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• High blood pressure
• Hand-foot skin reaction (pain, redness, swelling)
• Mouth sores
• Weight loss

Regular monitoring is important to manage side effects and adjust the dose if needed.

Effectiveness

Cabozantinib has shown strong results in both previously treated and untreated kidney cancer. It improves progression-free survival and can shrink tumors, especially when combined with immunotherapy.

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