What is it prescribed for?
ZAYNICH is a medication used to treat adults with advanced cancer that has progressed after prior treatments. It is typically used in patients whose cancer has specific features identified through testing and who have limited remaining treatment options.
Advanced cancers can become resistant to standard therapies over time, making them harder to treat. New targeted therapies like ZAYNICH are important because they offer another option for patients who may not respond to traditional chemotherapy. The FDA approved ZAYNICH on May 29, 2026.
What is the name of the drug and what does it do?
The medication is ZAYNICH™, an oral cancer treatment taken as a pill. It is designed to interfere with signals that cancer cells use to grow and survive.
Rather than attacking all rapidly dividing cells like chemotherapy, ZAYNICH targets specific pathways that cancer cells depend on. This targeted approach may help control disease while limiting damage to normal cells.
How does it work?
ZAYNICH works by blocking abnormal signaling pathways inside cancer cells. These pathways are responsible for growth, survival, and spread of tumors.
By interfering with these signals, the drug:
- Slows tumor growth
- Reduces cancer cell survival
- Helps prevent the spread of cancer
This approach allows for more focused treatment compared to traditional therapies.
What did the research discover?
Clinical studies showed that ZAYNICH helped control cancer in patients whose disease had progressed after other treatments. Some patients experienced tumor shrinkage, while others had stable disease for a period of time.
Findings included:
- Tumor response in a portion of patients
- Disease stabilization lasting several months
- Benefit in patients with specific tumor features
These results supported approval, especially for patients with limited treatment options.
What are some of the side effects?
Common side effects included:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
More serious risks may include:
- Changes in liver function tests
- Low blood cell counts
- Severe infections
Patients receiving treatment require regular monitoring to manage these risks.
What are the dosage recommendations and how is it prescribed?
ZAYNICH is taken by mouth once daily. The exact dose may be adjusted based on side effects or how the patient responds to treatment.
Important points include:
- Take at the same time each day
- Continue treatment until disease progression or side effects become too severe
- Regular blood tests are required during treatment
Doctors may adjust or pause treatment if side effects occur.
Source:
ZAYNICH™ [prescribing information]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration; 2026. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/220787Orig1s000lbl.pdf. Accessed by: June 6, 2026.
