Piqray

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Brand name: Piqray

Chemical name: Alpelisib

Class: PI3K inhibitor

How it works: The PI3K pathway helps all cells — both healthy and cancer cells — get the energy they need. When this pathway is overactivated because of a mutation in the PIK3CA gene, it can allow cancer cells to survive and grow. PI3K inhibitors block this pathway, with the goal of killing cancer cells.

Uses: Piqray is used in combination with Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant) to treat metastatic and advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation that has grown after hormonal therapy treatment in postmenopausal women and men.

How it’s given: Piqray is a pill taken by mouth.

Side effects:

• high blood sugar levels
• high creatinine levels, which can mean kidney problems
• diarrhea
• rash
• nausea
• fatigue
• low white blood cell counts
• mouth sores
• vomiting
• hair loss
• loss of appetite
• pneumonia
• severe skin reactions

Read more about Piqray.

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Reference

1. Piqray (alpelisib) prescribing information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey. 2019. Available at: https://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/sites/www.pharma.us.novartis.com/files/piqray.pdf (PDF)

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