Common side effects and serious hazards of crizotinib/Xalkori

Crizotinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that mainly acts on targets such as ALK, ROS1 and MET, and is used for specific gene mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other diseases. Although it has shown significant efficacy in precision tumor treatment, patients still need to pay attention to its possible side effects and potential serious harm in long-term application. Common adverse reactions include gastrointestinal reactions, visual disturbances, edema and fatigue. Among them, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite are more common. These symptoms usually appear in the early stages of medication and can be relieved by adjusting diet, dividing meals and appropriate drug-assisted treatment. Visual abnormalities, such as blurred vision, halos, or visual field flashes, are also commonly reported reactions by patients, especially when ambient light changes, and are generally reversible.

In terms of laboratory tests, some patients may experience elevated transaminases, indicating that liver function is affected, which requires regular monitoring of liver function indicators during treatment. In the event of a significant increase, the dose should be suspended or adjusted according to physician advice. Edema and fatigue may be related to the systemic effects of the drug, affecting quality of life. Among serious adverse reactions, interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a complication that deserves high vigilance. Although the incidence rate is low, it can be life-threatening and manifests as persistent cough, dyspnea, fever, etc. Once suspected, the drug must be discontinued immediately and imaging evaluation must be performed.

Generally speaking, most of the adverse reactions of crizotinib are controllable and reversible, but they need to be discovered and dealt with in a timely manner through regular follow-up and laboratory monitoring under the guidance of a doctor to ensure efficacy and safety. During the treatment process, individualized management and early intervention are important means to reduce serious harm and prolong patient survival benefits.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB08865