Can treatment be interrupted after taking capmatinib?

Capmatinib is a targeted drug targeting MET gene mutations and is mainly used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutations. The drug inhibits the activity of MET tyrosine kinase and blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells, thereby playing an anti-tumor effect. For patients with confirmed related gene mutations, continued treatment with capmatinib is often the key to controlling the disease.

Whether capmatinib can be interrupted during treatment needs to be judged based on the specific situation. Short-term missed doses or suspensions (such as side effect management or surgery, etc.) can be performed safely under the guidance of a doctor, but long-term arbitrary interruptions may lead to disease progression, tumor recurrence, and even the emergence of drug resistance. Therefore, you cannot stop taking the medication on your own and must follow your doctor's treatment plan and adjustment recommendations.

If a patient experiences serious adverse reactions during medication, such as pulmonary toxicity, liver damage, or severe rash, the doctor may recommend suspending or reducing the dosage of the medication. This interruption is usually temporary and treatment is resumed after symptoms subside. In these cases, discontinuation is for safety reasons and does not amount to termination of treatment, but is a risk management measure.
In general, capmatinib, as a targeted therapy, should be used continuously and regularly to obtain the best efficacy. If treatment needs to be interrupted, it must be done under the evaluation and guidance of a doctor. Patients should not decide to discontinue medication on their own, as this may affect the overall treatment effect. If you experience physical discomfort or have a severe reaction to drugs, you should promptly report to your doctor and seek an individualized medication adjustment plan.
Reference: https://www.novartis.com/our-products/pipeline/capmatinib