Are the side effects of tepotinib serious?

The active substance in Tepotinib Tepotinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that attaches to the abnormal MET protein in cancer cells. This blocks the action of MET, which helps slow the growth and spread of cancer cells in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The most common adverse reactions in patients treated with tepotinib were edema, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and dyspnea.

In clinical studies, 30% of patients treated with tepotinib had dose reductions due to adverse reactions, including edema, pleural effusion, and increased serum creatinine. 44% of patients who received tepotinib had dose interruptions due to adverse reactions, including edema, increased serum creatinine, pleural effusion, ALT elevation, and pneumonia. Twenty percent of patients who received tepotinib permanently discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions, including edema, pleural effusion, dyspnea, worsening of general health, and pneumonia. The most common grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities were lymphopenia, decreased albumin, decreased sodium, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase, increased amylase, increased ALT, increased lipase, increased AST, and decreased hemoglobin.

The original drug of Tepotinib is a new type of drug that is not yet on the market in China and therefore has not been included in the medical insurance. The price of Tepotinib original drug specifications225mg*30 tablets per box listed overseas is around RMB 80,000 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). It has been on the market for a short time and is expensive. There are also Tepotinib generic drugs produced in other countries. The price of 225mg*60 tablets produced by a Lao pharmaceutical factory is around RMB 8,600 per box (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of generic drugs produced abroad are basically the same as those of the original drug. For specific prices and drug details, please consult Yaode Medical Consultant.