What are the side effects of erdafitinib?

Erdafitinib, as an innovative anti-cancer drug, has attracted widespread attention in the field of tumor treatment in recent years. It is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) to combat certain types of cancer, especially locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer.

Erdafitinib is the first personalized treatment to target FGFR gene alterations in patients susceptible to metastatic bladder cancer, suggesting the development of more personalized and precise drugs tailored to patients' specific genetic mutations. Considering that urothelial cancer is statistically the fourth most common cancer in the world, the introduction of erdafitinib provides a much-needed new option in the ever-expanding treatment toolkit to treat this prevalent medical condition.

Common side effects of erdafitinib include increased phosphate levels, mouth ulcers, feeling tired, changes in kidney function, diarrhea, dry mouth, nails that separate from the bed or poor nail formation, changes in liver function, low salt (sodium) levels, decreased appetite, changes in taste, low red blood cells (anemia), dry skin, dry eyes, and hair loss. Other side effects include redness, swelling, peeling, or tenderness of the hands and feet (hand-foot syndrome), constipation, stomach pain, nausea, and muscle pain.

Erdafitinib may cause serious eye problems, including eye inflammation, inflammation of the cornea (the front part of the eye), and retinal (inner part of the eye) disease. Patients are advised to have intermittent eye exams and to notify their primary care physician immediately if they experience blurred vision, vision loss, or other vision changes.

In general, erdafitinib, as a new type of anti-cancer drug, brings therapeutic hope but is also accompanied by a series of potential side effects. Patients should pay close attention to their physical condition during use and communicate with their doctors in a timely manner to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.