What are the side effects of Cabozantinib?

Cabozantinib (Cabozantinib) is a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits tumor growth, angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment signaling as its main mechanism of action. Therefore, it may also bring about a series of side effects related to its pharmacological effects during the treatment process. Generally speaking, the side effects of cabozantinib are "predictable and manageable", and clinicians will adjust the dose based on the patient's basic condition and tolerance. Patients are often more susceptible to physical changes in the early stages of treatment, so understanding common discomforts can help address them early.

Gastrointestinal reactions are common after using cabozantinib, including oral mucosal discomfort, mild diarrhea, decreased appetite or weakened digestive ability. This type of reaction is usually related to the effect of drugs on gastrointestinal epithelial cells, and early adjustment of diet and replenishing water can often help improve it. Skin reactions are also important side effects of cabozantinib, such as skin sensitivity, mild scaling, or local pain on the hands and feet. This type of reaction is more typical in targeted drug therapy, and is mostly related to the inhibition of signaling pathways related to epidermal growth. Proper skin moisturizing and reducing friction can help relieve symptoms.

In addition, some patients may experience increased blood pressure, which is a common physiological response in multi-target TKI treatment. It can usually be stabilized through monitoring and moderate drug control. Fatigue, weakness, and mild joint discomfort also occur from time to time, which may be related to increased metabolic burden. Less common but noteworthy side effects include thyroid hormone fluctuations, proteinuria, or elevated liver enzyme levels, requiring continued biochemical monitoring during treatment.

In general, the side effects of cabozantinib are not uncontrollable. The key lies in early identification and timely treatment. Most patients can continue treatment and benefit from it with appropriate monitoring and management, which is one of the reasons why it is listed as an important treatment option for many cancers by many global guidelines.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabozantinib