Tucatinib
Tucatinib works by binding to the part of the HER2 protein that is inside the cell, preventing it from sending signals that promote cell growth. It is a type of targeted therapy drug called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is a small-molecule drug (a drug that can enter cells easily).
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Tucatinib is approved to treat adults whose cancer is HER2 positive, including:
- Breast cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain. It is used with trastuzumab and capecitabine in patients who have received at least one anti-HER2 treatment for cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Colorectal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body and has the wild-type RAS gene. It is used with trastuzumab in patients who have received treatment that included a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan hydrochloride and it did not work or is no longer working.¹
¹This use is approved under FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program. As a condition of approval, a confirmatory trial(s) must show that tucatinib provides a clinical benefit in these patients.
Tucatinib is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Tucatinib
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
MedlinePlus Information on Tucatinib - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Research Results and Related Resources
Tucatinib and Trastuzumab Combination Approved for Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Tucatinib - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.