Alunbrig (brigatinib) vs Afinitor (everolimus)

Alunbrig (brigatinib) vs Afinitor (everolimus)

Alunbrig (brigatinib) is a targeted therapy specifically designed to treat non-small cell lung cancer with a certain type of abnormal anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene, and is used particularly when the disease has progressed on or after other ALK inhibitors. Afinitor (everolimus), on the other hand, is a different type of targeted therapy known as an mTOR inhibitor, used to treat various types of cancers including advanced renal cell carcinoma, certain breast cancers, and neuroendocrine tumors, among others, but is not specific to ALK-positive lung cancer. When deciding between the two, it is crucial to consider the specific type of cancer being treated, the molecular characteristics of the tumor, and the patient's previous treatments, as these factors will determine which medication is more appropriate.

Difference between Alunbrig and Afinitor

Metric Alunbrig (brigatinib) Afinitor (everolimus)
Generic name Brigatinib Everolimus
Indications Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ALK-positive metastasis Advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in postmenopausal women; advanced renal cell carcinoma; renal angiomyolipoma and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC); subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) with TSC; progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin (PNET); and partial-onset seizures with TSC in adults and children aged 2 years and older
Mechanism of action ALK and EGFR inhibitor mTOR inhibitor
Brand names Alunbrig Afinitor, Afinitor Disperz
Administrative route Oral Oral
Side effects Nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, cough, headache Stomatitis, infections, rash, fatigue, diarrhea, edema
Contraindications Hypersensitivity to brigatinib or any component of the formulation Hypersensitivity to everolimus or other rapamycin derivatives, or to any excipient
Drug class Tyrosine kinase inhibitor mTOR inhibitor
Manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Efficacy

Alunbrig (Brigatinib) Efficacy in Lung Cancer

Alunbrig, known by its generic name brigatinib, is a targeted therapy approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific genetic alterations. Specifically, it is indicated for patients with NSCLC that is anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) as detected by an FDA-approved test. The efficacy of Alunbrig in lung cancer was demonstrated in clinical trials where it showed significant activity against ALK+ NSCLC, especially in patients who had progressed on or were intolerant to crizotinib, which is another ALK inhibitor. In these studies, brigatinib showed a high objective response rate and a notable duration of response, offering an important treatment option for this subset of lung cancer patients.

One of the pivotal trials for Alunbrig's approval was the ALTA trial, which evaluated the drug's efficacy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who had progressed on crizotinib. The trial reported improved progression-free survival (PFS) as compared to chemotherapy and a considerable number of patients achieved partial or complete responses. The results from this trial supported the use of brigatinib as a subsequent line of therapy after crizotinib failure in ALK+ NSCLC patients.

Afinitor (Everolimus) Efficacy in Lung Cancer

Afinitor, with the active ingredient everolimus, is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor that has been studied in various types of cancer, including lung cancer. While it is not primarily indicated for the treatment of NSCLC, everolimus has been evaluated in clinical trials for its potential efficacy in this disease, especially in combination with other therapies. In studies involving patients with advanced NSCLC, everolimus has shown some potential benefits when combined with other targeted therapies or chemotherapeutic agents, although its role in the standard treatment for lung cancer remains less defined compared to other indications.

The efficacy of Afinitor in lung cancer has been demonstrated more in the context of its use in combination with other drugs rather than as a monotherapy. Clinical trials have explored the combination of everolimus with agents like gefitinib in patients with NSCLC and have observed some improvement in disease control and PFS. However, the results have been mixed, and the use of everolimus in lung cancer treatment is generally considered on a case-by-case basis, often within the framework of clinical trials or off-label use. It is important to note that the efficacy of Afinitor in lung cancer can vary widely depending on the molecular profile of the tumor and the specific treatment regimen employed.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Alunbrig
  • European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
  • Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Japan
Afinitor
  • European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
  • Health Canada
  • Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Japan
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia

Access Alunbrig or Afinitor today

If Alunbrig or Afinitor are not approved or available in your country (e.g. due to supply issues), you can access them via Everyone.org.

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