Tukysa Tukysa

Tukysa (tucatinib)

Company: Seattle Genetics

Approval Status: Approved on 4/17/2020

Specific treatment: Metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer

Mechanism of Action:

Tucatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of HER2. In vitro, tucatinib inhibits phosphorylation of HER2 and HER3, resulting in inhibition of downstream MAPK and AKT signaling and cell proliferation, and showed antitumor activity in HER2 expressing tumor cells. In vivo, tucatinib inhibited the growth of HER2 expressing tumors. The combination of tucatinib and trastuzumab showed increased anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared to either drug alone.

Dosage form/Route:

Tablets: 50 mg and 150 mg.

Side effects:

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are diarrhea, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, fatigue, hepatotoxicity, vomiting, stomatitis, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, headache, anemia, and rash.