What is the recommended dosage of cabozantinib? How to adjust dosage appropriately

Cabozantinib is a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor mainly used to treat renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid cancer and other cancers. It blocks the signaling pathways of tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting multiple receptors, including VEGFR (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor), MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor), etc., thereby effectively inhibiting tumor progression. Cabozantinib usage and dosage should be adjusted based on the patient's specific condition and tolerability.

The recommended initial dose of cabozantinib is usually 60 mg/day (orally). This medicine should be taken by mouth at a fixed time each day, preferably with food. To reduce gastrointestinal discomfort, patients are advised to take it after meals to enhance drug absorption and reduce gastrointestinal irritation. If the patient cannot tolerate the dose, the doctor can adjust the dose appropriately according to the individual's tolerance. In patients with renal, liver and other dysfunction, the dose may need to be further adjusted to ensure the safety and efficacy of the drug.

During cabozantinib treatment, doctors may need to adjust the dose based on the patient's side effects and clinical response. For patients who experience more serious side effects (such as severe diarrhea, mouth ulcers, high blood pressure, abnormal liver function, etc.), dose reduction is usually considered. For example, in the event of a more serious adverse reaction, the dose may need to be reduced to 40 mg per day or 20 mg per day. If side effects further diminish or disappear, a return to the recommended dose of 60 mg/day may be considered.

In some cases, patients may need to temporarily discontinue medication or adjust their treatment regimen. If a patient experiences serious side effects, such as severe liver damage, bleeding tendency, cardiovascular events, etc., cabozantinib may need to be suspended until the side effects are controlled. Restarting medication after discontinuation requires caution. Physicians should evaluate the patient's overall health and tolerance to the medication before deciding whether to resume treatment and whether to adjust the dosage.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabozantinib