What is Loqtorzi prescribed for?
Loqtorzi is prescribed to treat recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma when used together with or following other therapies.
What is Loqtorzi and what does it do?
Loqtorzi, pronounced lok-tor-zee, (generic name: vonoprazan) is a medication recently approved by the FDA for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a type of cancer located in the area behind the nose and above the back of the throat.
This drug is used for patients with metastatic NPC (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) or recurrent locally advanced NPC.
It can be used alone or with other chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and gemcitabine, depending on the patient’s treatment needs.
How does Loqtorzi work?
Loqtorzi works by targeting a protein on immune cells called PD-1. This protein typically helps keep the body’s immune responses in check, but cancer cells can exploit it to protect themselves from being attacked by the immune system.
By blocking PD-1, Loqtorzi boosts the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells, thereby helping to control the spread and impact of the cancer.
What did the research discover?
Clinical trials have shown that Loqtorzi is effective in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
For patients receiving Loqtorzi in combination with chemotherapy, it significantly improved their chances of survival and disease control compared to chemotherapy alone.
The trials demonstrated that Loqtorzi, when used as part of first-line treatment, helped extend the period patients lived without their cancer worsening.
What are some of the side effects?
The side effects listed are from the product manufacturer. As health scientists, we share this information to keep you informed without causing undue worry. Many side effects diminish over time, and not all patients experience them. If prescribed medication, take it as directed and consult your healthcare professional if you have any concerning side effects.
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Constipation
- Various immune-related adverse reactions (such as inflammation of lungs or intestine)
What are the dosage recommendations and how is it prescribed?
Loqtorzi is administered as an intravenous infusion. The recommended dosage is 240 mg every three weeks when used with cisplatin and gemcitabine for first-line treatment, and 3 mg/kg every two weeks as a single agent for previously treated unresectable or metastatic NPC.
The infusion duration for the first dose is 60 minutes, and if well-tolerated, subsequent infusions can be given over 30 minutes.
Source:
- Highlights of Prescribing Information for Loqtorzi. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/761240s000lbl.pdf. Accessed 18 July 2024.
