Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Midostaurin for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)

 Midostaurin (Rydapt) has been approved in order to treat adult patients with AML. As a multi-targeted protein kinase inhibitor, it blocks the several protein kinase enzymes that are involved with cell growth, and prevent the growth of the leukaemia cells. A bit more specifically, midostaurin 25 mg capsules inhibit the signals from the FLT3 receptor, stopping the cell cycle as well as promoting the death of the leukaemia cells that have the FMS-like tyrosine 3 mutation.

Who receives midostaurin?

It is recommended for adult patients who are with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia who have the FMS-like tyrosine 3 mutation.

This drug is also recommended in order to treat some patients with an absolutely different haematological condition named advanced systemic mastocytosis. 

How is midostaurin administered?

It is mostly recommended to be used in along with other chemotherapies. It is approved for use together with daunorubicin and cytarabine as induction treatment for AML adult patients with newly diagnosed AML and a FMS-like tyrosine 3 mutation. In acute myeloid leukemia patients with a complete response, this medication is consumed with high-dose cytarabine in the form of consolidation chemotherapy, and can be used as a single agent for the maintenance therapy. 

Things need to when taking midostaurin: You need to follow the following steps when taking midostaurin:
  • Consume midostaurin 25 mg at the same time each day to help you in order to remember when you have to take your dose.
  • Midostaurin is consumed with food.
  • It is taken twice daily at about 12-hour intervals.
  • Capsules are swallowed whole with water. Do not crush, open, or chew them to make sure you get the full dose and any unpleasant taste of the capsule content should be avoided. 
  • In case consumed with chemotherapy, you must follow the words of your healthcare provider.

What are the side effects of midostaurin?
Side effects are usually mild or moderate, and will generally disappear following a few weeks of treatment. Some patients have optimal side effects, whereas other patients may have more. This drug is still working even if you don’t experience any kind of side effects. 

Common side effects: Some common side effects due to midostaurin are:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Nose bleeds
  • Bleeding gums
  • Redness
  • Peeling of the skin
Immediately call your healthcare practitioner, in case you experience any of the following adverse reactions as you may need treatment:
  • Raised temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F)
  • Unexpected bruising/bleeding
  • Eye pain
  • Dry or watery eyes
  • Feeling very tired
  • Short of breath 
What happens if midostaurin doesn’t work?
Your respective healthcare practitioner will closely monitor how effectively this medicine is working for you by taking regular blood tests.
In case midostaurin (a first -generation protein kinase inhibitor), is not working or has stopped working for you, your healthcare practitioner will decide which is the next best treatment option. 

NOTE: The information provided in this article is only for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis, of a qualified healthcare practitioner

Midostaurin

FAQ's

What is the best alternative therapy for acute myeloid leukemia?
Immunotherapy can be the best alternative treatment option for AML. It is also named targeted therapy.

Is AML completely curable?
Yes, every has a cure. No doubt it is a serious disease, but it is treatable and often curable. 

How is acute myeloid leukemia diagnosed?
In order to diagnose AML, a respective doctor will perform blood tests to count the number of WBC and to check if they look abnormal under the microscope. 

How long do you live with acute myeloid leukemia?
The 5-year survival rate indicates what percent of patients live at least 5 years after the cancer is found. The 5-year survival rate for patients aged 20 years and older is about 25%. For patients younger than 20 years, the survival rate is 67%.
Apart from this, survival depends on several other factors, including biologic features of the disease and a patient’s age. 

Is Midostaurin chemo?
Midostaurin belongs to the targeted anti-cancer therapy. It is a FMS-like tyrosine 3 inhibitor.

How much does Midostaurin cost?
Prices may vary from innovator to generic drugs. The rydapt 25 mg price is about ₹ 1.40 Lakh/Box. 

Is midostaurin an alternative therapy for acute myeloid leukemia? 
Yes, midostaurin together with standard chemotherapy, could be an efficient alternative therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (FLT3-AML). 





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