What does cabozantinib mainly treat?

Cabozantinib (Cabozantinib) is an anti-tumor agent and a multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Cabozantinib is available in tablet or capsule form so patients can take it at home, and the treatment can be given alone or with other anticancer drugs. Cabozantinib is mainly used to treat the following conditions:

1. Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC): Cabozantinib capsules can be used to treat progressive metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. Efficacy was determined based on improved progression-free survival. Guidelines generally support the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including cabozantinib, in the first-line treatment of progressive and metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated an orphan drug for this use.

2. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC): Cabozantinib tablets can be used to treat locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (which has progressed after VEGFR targeted therapy), and is suitable for patients aged ≥12 years old and those who are resistant to radioactive iodine (iodine -131) Adult and pediatric patients who are intolerant or ineligible. The guideline states that tyrosine kinase inhibitors should be considered for patients with metastatic radioiodine-refractory DTC who are rapidly progressive, symptomatic, and/or present an imminent threat and who are not candidates for other methods of control.

3. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC): Cabozantinib tablets can be used as a single drug to treat patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma; in combination with nivolumab, it is a first-line treatment. Guidelines generally support the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including cabozantinib, both initially and in patients experiencing advanced RCC.

4. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Cabozantinib tablets can be used to treat patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have previously received sorafenib. Guidelines generally support the second-line use of another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, including cabozantinib, in HCC patients treated with sorafenib or lenvatinib in the first-line setting. Designated as an orphan drug by the FDA for the treatment of HCC patients.