Vandetanib, sold under the brand name Caprelsa, is an anti-cancer medication that is used for the treatment of certain tumours of the thyroid gland. It acts as a kinase inhibitor of a number of cell receptors, mainly the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and the RET-tyrosine kinase. The drug was developed by AstraZeneca who later sold the rights to Sanofi in 2015. Medical use
Vandetanib is used to treat medullary thyroid cancer in adults who are ineligible for surgery. Contraindications
The V804M mutation in RET confers resistance to Vandetanib anti-RET activity.In people with moderate and severe hepatic impairment, no dosage for vandetanib has been recommended, as its safety and efficacy has not been established yet. Vandetanib is contraindicated in people with congenital long QT syndrome.
A clinical trial of vandetanib plus gemcitabine versus placebo plus gemcitabine in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma was negative in a prospective, randomised, double-blind, multicentre phase 2 trial. References
External links
"Vandetanib". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.