Analyze whether the side effects of lenvatinib/lenvatinib (Lenvima) are serious

Lenvatinib, as a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown good efficacy in the treatment of various types of cancer (renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid cancer, and endometrial cancer), but like many anti-tumor drugs, its side effects cannot be ignored. Patients may experience some common and serious side effects when treated with lenvatinib.

The most common side effects are usually related to the drug's effects on the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. Common side effects that patients may experience include high blood pressure, fatigue, decreased appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. These side effects are mostly mild to moderate and can usually be alleviated through dose adjustment, symptomatic treatment, or appropriate lifestyle intervention. In particular, hypertension is one of the most common side effects in clinical practice. Patients need to monitor blood pressure regularly during treatment. If blood pressure continues to rise, drug intervention may be needed to control blood pressure.

In addition, the toxic effects of lenvatinib on the liver cannot be ignored. In clinical studies, some patients experienced liver function abnormalities when using lenvatinib, manifested as elevated transaminases (ALT and AST). Although the liver function abnormalities in most patients were mild, liver function still needs to be monitored regularly and treatment plans adjusted if necessary. Patients with hepatic impairment need to be more cautious when using lenvatinib, and dose adjustment or discontinuation may be required based on the individual liver condition.

In addition, lenvatinib may also cause some serious side effects, such as severe bleeding, heart failure, and kidney damage. Although the incidence of these serious side effects is relatively low, they still need to be taken seriously, especially in patients with poor liver or heart function, who may be at higher risk for these problems.

Reference materials:https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/lenvima