Special drug for lung cancer: Scope and function of Pralsetinib

Pralsetinib, the active ingredient in Pralsetinib, is a RET inhibitor and belongs to the broader class of cancer drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It blocks the activity of an abnormal protein called a RET fusion protein, which is produced by the body as a result of changes in the RET gene. In cancer cells, RET fusion proteins can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. By blocking the RET fusion protein, Platinib helps reduce the growth and spread of cancer.

Platinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic rearrangement (RET) fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer during transfection as detected by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test; and adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and are refractory to radioactive iodine therapy, if radioactive iodine is applicable. Platinib is an important treatment option for patients with RET fusion-positive lung cancer and other RET-altered cancers.

The original drug Platinib has been launched in China, but it has not yet passed the relevant policies for inclusion in medical insurance. The price of 120 pills per box may be around 60,000 yuan. The price of the European version of Platinib's original drug sold overseas may be around RMB 40,000 per box of 60 pills, and the U.S. version may be priced around RMB 150,000 per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is expensive. There are also generic Platinib drugs available for sale overseas. The ingredients of the drug are basically the same as those of the original drug at home and abroad. The price of 120 pills per box may be more than RMB 4,000 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate).