Copanlisib, available under the brand name Aliqopa, is a prescription medication used to treat certain cancers. It is a type of drug classified as a kinase inhibitor, meaning it interferes with cellular processes that promote cancer growth, slowing or stopping the multiplication of cancer cells.
Understanding How Copanlisib Works
Copanlisib functions by targeting and blocking phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), an abnormal protein. PI3K is an enzyme that plays a role in promoting cell growth and division in many types of cells, including cancer cells. By inhibiting this enzyme, copanlisib disrupts the signals that tell cancer cells to multiply, thereby slowing their spread. This targeted approach helps to control the disease by interfering with the specific pathways that cancer cells rely on for survival and proliferation. This mechanism is central to its therapeutic effect in cancer treatment.
Conditions Treated with Copanlisib
Copanlisib is used to treat follicular lymphoma (FL), a type of slow-growing blood cancer, when it has returned after a patient has undergone at least two prior systemic therapies. The medication is approved for these specific cases, providing an additional treatment option for patients whose cancer has relapsed, particularly when previous treatments have not been effective. This drug was granted accelerated approval for certain conditions.
Receiving Treatment and Managing Side Effects
Copanlisib is administered as an infusion directly into a vein, typically by a healthcare provider, taking at least one hour to complete. The treatment follows a 28-day cycle, with the medication given on specific days within each cycle, and the duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
Patients receiving copanlisib may experience several side effects. Common ones include high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), high blood pressure (hypertension), diarrhea, and fatigue. Other frequently observed side effects include low blood cell counts, such as leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, as well as nausea. Healthcare professionals closely monitor patients for these effects, and adjustments to treatment or supportive care may be provided to help manage them.
Important Considerations for Patients
Patients undergoing copanlisib treatment require careful monitoring, including regular checks of blood sugar and blood pressure levels. This medication can temporarily lower white blood cell counts, increasing the risk of infection; patients should report any signs of infection, such as fever or chills, to their doctor immediately. Serious skin reactions, including redness, itching, or swelling, can also occur and warrant prompt medical attention.
Patients must inform their healthcare provider about all existing medical conditions and any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. Certain substances, like grapefruit or some antifungal medications, can affect copanlisib blood levels and should be avoided or discussed with a doctor. Women who can become pregnant and male patients with female partners of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least one month after the last dose due to potential risks to an unborn baby.