Dasatinib is a relatively new drug that has shown promise for the treatment of various forms of cancer. This breakthrough drug targets specific proteins that play a role in cancer cell growth and progression. Let's take a closer look at dasatinib and its potential to help cancer patients.

What is Dasatinib?

Dasatinib is an oral chemotherapy drug that belongs to a class of medicines known as kinase inhibitors. It was first approved by the FDA in 2006 for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Dasatinib works by targeting and inhibiting two key protein kinases involved in cancer - Bcr-Abl and Src. Protein kinases are enzymes that help control cell growth and division. Bcr-Abl and Src are abnormal versions of these proteins that are associated with certain types of leukemia and other cancers. By blocking the activity of Bcr-Abl and Src, dasatinib helps stop uncontrolled cell growth and induces cancer cell death.

Approved Uses and Clinical Trials

In addition to CML and leukemia, dasatinib is currently approved to treat several other types of cancer:

- Ph+ ALL: It is used as a second-line treatment for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients who are no longer responding to other therapies.

- NSCLC: Dasatinib is being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer expressing one or more mutations in the EGFR gene. Preliminary results have been promising.

Safety and Side Effects

Overall, dasatinib is considered to have a reasonable safety profile. However, it can cause some mild to moderate side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, fever, and skin rashes in many patients. More serious but rare toxicities include pulmonary hypertension, fluid retention, bleeding disorders and heart failure. Careful monitoring is required during dasatinib therapy.

Dosing and Administration

For CML and ALL, the typical starting dose of dasatinib is 100 mg taken once daily. The dose may be increased up to 140 mg daily depending on treatment response and side effect tolerance. For other cancers, dasatinib is administered at lower doses, usually 50-100 mg once or twice per day. It comes as oral tablets that should be taken with food. Treatment is continuous as long as the cancer remains responsive with acceptable toxicity.

Future Directions

Researchers continue exploring new uses and optimization of dasatinib therapy. For example, combination regimens with other targeted drugs or immunotherapy are being evaluated. Efforts are also underway to develop new dasatinib formulations for improved dosing convenience. With further progress, dasatinib could potentially expand treatment options for a wider range of leukemias and solid tumors in the future.

Summary

In summary, dasatinib is an orally administered kinase inhibitor drug approved to treat CML, ALL and other cancers. It works by inhibiting two key proteins driving leukemia and cancer growth. While short-term side effects may occur, dasatinib offers hope as an effective targeted therapy when other options have been exhausted or the cancer is resistant to standard chemotherapy. Ongoing clinical research aims to establish additional uses of this promising drug as well as safer and more convenient delivery methods. With continued advancements, dasatinib may benefit many more cancer patients worldwide.