Vargatef

Vargatef (also known as nintedanib) is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor developed by Boehringer Ingelheim for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2014 and by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States in 2019.

Mechanism of Action

Vargatef works by inhibiting multiple receptor tyrosine kinases, which are proteins involved in the signaling pathways that lead to cell growth and proliferation. By blocking these pathways, Vargatef can slow the growth of cancer cells and reduce the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow.

Clinical Use

Vargatef is used in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced, metastatic or locally recurrent NSCLC of adenocarcinoma tumor histology after first-line chemotherapy.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Vargatef include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Serious side effects can include liver damage, bleeding, gastrointestinal perforation, and pulmonary hypertension.

Research

Several clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Vargatef. The LUME-Lung 1 trial, a phase III clinical trial, demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with NSCLC who were treated with Vargatef and docetaxel compared to docetaxel alone.

See Also

• Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Docetaxel