How much does Alpelisib cost after medical insurance?

Alpelisib (Alpelisib) is an oral small molecule drug that is a PI3K (phosphatidylinositol kinase) inhibitor. PI3K is a key cell signaling molecule involved in regulating cell growth, division and survival. The main function of Apelvis is to inhibit a subtype of the PI3K signaling pathway, namely the p110α isoform, which is often abnormally activated in a variety of cancers.

Apelis has not yet been launched in China, so it is not included in medical insurance. Therefore, patients cannot purchase it domestically and need to purchase Apelis through overseas channels. In foreign countries, the original Apelvis drug is mainly used. There are European and Indian versions of the original drug on the market. The price of the European version of the original drug is as high as tens of thousands of yuan. Relatively speaking, the price of the Indian version of the original drug is around four to five thousand yuan. The price is still relatively cheap. Moreover, the ingredients and efficacy of the European and Indian original drugs are consistent.

Currently, the main indication for Apelix is the treatment of breast cancer. This drug is widely used especially in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-negative) advanced breast cancer. PIK3CA gene mutations are relatively common in patients with this type of breast cancer, and Apelvis inhibits the abnormal PI3K signaling pathway caused by this gene mutation, thereby inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Apelix is often used in combination with other treatments, such as hormone therapy. In key clinical trials such as the SOLAR-1 trial, the combination of apelvis and hormonal therapy has shown significant efficacy, extending patients' progression-free survival.

However, like any drug, Apelvis may also cause a series of side effects, including but not limited to hyperglycemia, skin reactions, abnormal liver function, etc. Therefore, before using Apelvis, doctors will usually conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient and weigh the potential benefits and risks.