The efficacy and role of tucatinib

Tucatinib (tucatinib) is a molecularly targeted drug for breast cancer. It is primarily used to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, a specific subtype of breast cancer. Works by inhibiting the activity of the HER2 receptor. HER2 is a membrane receptor tyrosine kinase that is highly expressed in HER2-positive breast cancer. Overexpression of HER2 can lead to abnormal proliferation and survival of tumor cells, making them resistant to traditional chemotherapy drugs.

Tucatinib can selectively inhibitHER2 receptor activity, thereby reducing the proliferation and spread of tumor cells. It is often combined with trastuzumab and capecitabine to form a triple therapy to improve efficacy. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody drug that blocks signaling and causes tumor cell apoptosis by binding to the HER2 receptor. Capecitabine is a chemotherapy drug that inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells by inhibiting their DNA synthesis and replication.

It is understood that the original drug Tucatinib has not yet been launched in China, so it has not entered the scope of domestic medical insurance. Patients in need cannot yet purchase this drug in pharmacies or hospitals. The price of the European version of tucatinib original drug sold overseas is around RMB 72,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is expensive. There are also generic drugs of tucatinib produced in other countries. The price of Tucatinib produced by a Lao pharmaceutical factory is around 6,400 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The price is much cheaper than the original drug, and the ingredients of foreign generic drugs are basically the same as the original drug.