What is bosutinib?

Bosutinib (Bosutinib) is one of five tyrosine kinase inhibitors currently approved for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. By dually inhibiting Src and ABL kinases and targeting other kinases, it creates a unique combination of targets, which also explains its unique side effects. Bosutinib was approved in 2013, making the drug available for patients who have been previously treated with one or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors and for whom imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib were not considered appropriate treatment options

Bosutinib has a unique side effect profile compared with other approved TKIs, with few cardiovascular and thromboembolic events and minimal long-term safety concerns, with most adverse events occurring in the first few months of treatment. On the other hand, bosutinib's gastrointestinal side effects are very common (for example, diarrhea rates occurred in more than 80% of patients), which surprised some researchers in early clinical trials evaluating bosutinib. Previously, several approaches have been used to address this issue, leading to extensive supportive efforts (such as early loperamide treatment) as well as new trials testing alternative dosing strategies through early dose titration programs.

The originator drug of bosutinib is not marketed in the country, so it cannot be included in medical insurance. Currently, the original drugs sold overseas include Turkish version and European version. The price of the Turkish version may be more than RMB 2,000 per box of 500mg*28, and the price of the European version may be more than RMB 30,000 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). There are also bosutinib generic drugs produced overseas in other countries. Their pharmaceutical ingredients are basically the same as those of the original drug. The price of 500mg*30 per box may be more than 2,000 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate), and the price is relatively cheap.