Efficacy

Qinlock (ripretinib) and Gastric Cancer

Qinlock (ripretinib) is a kinase inhibitor initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) after prior treatment with 3 or more kinase inhibitors, including imatinib. While Qinlock has shown efficacy in GIST, its use in gastric cancer is not well established. As of the knowledge cutoff date, there are no clinical trials that have conclusively demonstrated the efficacy of Qinlock specifically for the treatment of gastric cancer. Therefore, its use in this context would be considered off-label, and the efficacy for gastric cancer cannot be verified without further clinical studies.

Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) and Gastric Cancer

Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) is an antibody-drug conjugate that combines a humanized anti-HER2 antibody with a topoisomerase inhibitor payload. It is approved for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens. In the context of gastric cancer, Enhertu has shown promising results. The FDA granted approval for Enhertu for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen.

The approval of Enhertu for gastric cancer was based on the results of a multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial. In this trial, patients treated with Enhertu demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival compared to patients who received chemotherapy. The efficacy of Enhertu in this patient population provides a new treatment option for those with advanced HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, addressing an important unmet medical need.

It is important to note that the use of Enhertu is specifically indicated for HER2-positive gastric cancer, and its efficacy in HER2-negative gastric cancer has not been established. As with any medication, the use of Enhertu should be based on an individual patient's clinical profile and in accordance with the prescribing information and relevant treatment guidelines. Healthcare providers should consider the evidence of efficacy, potential side effects, and individual patient factors when recommending Enhertu for gastric cancer patients.