Piqray

• Piqray is an oral medication approved for specific types of advanced breast cancer.
• It targets the PIK3CA gene mutation, which is common in hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer.
• The medication works by inhibiting the PI3K pathway, crucial for cancer cell growth and survival.
• Common side effects include high blood sugar, rash, and diarrhea, requiring careful monitoring.
• Piqray is typically used in combination with fulvestrant after endocrine therapy has failed.

What is Piqray?

Piqray is the brand name for the active substance alpelisib, an oral prescription medication. It is classified as a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. This medication is specifically designed for the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), and has a PIK3CA mutation. The presence of this specific genetic mutation is crucial for determining if Piqray is an appropriate treatment option, and patients must undergo a companion diagnostic test to confirm its presence. Understanding Piqray medication information involves recognizing its role as a targeted therapy that works differently from traditional chemotherapy, focusing on specific molecular pathways within cancer cells.

How Piqray Works and Its Approved Uses

How does Piqray work? Piqray functions by selectively inhibiting the alpha isoform of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3Kα). The PI3K pathway is a critical signaling pathway involved in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival, and it is often overactive in various cancers, including breast cancer, particularly when the PIK3CA gene is mutated. By blocking PI3Kα, Piqray aims to suppress the growth and survival of cancer cells that rely on this pathway. This targeted approach helps to slow down or stop the progression of the disease.

The approved uses for Piqray are quite specific. It is indicated in combination with fulvestrant for postmenopausal women, and men, with HR+, HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test, after disease progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen. This means it is typically used as a second-line or later treatment option when initial hormone therapies have not been successful. The combination with fulvestrant, another endocrine therapy, enhances its effectiveness by further disrupting hormone signaling pathways that fuel cancer growth.

Piqray Side Effects and Important Safety Information

Like all medications, Piqray can cause side effects. Patients taking Piqray must be closely monitored by their healthcare team due to the potential for serious adverse reactions. Understanding Piqray uses and side effects is vital for safe and effective treatment. The most common side effects often include:

• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite
• Hair loss
• Stomatitis (mouth sores)

Serious side effects can include severe hyperglycemia, severe skin reactions (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis), severe diarrhea, pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs), and blood clots. Patients are typically advised to monitor their blood sugar levels regularly and report any unusual symptoms promptly to their doctor. Due to the risk of hyperglycemia, patients with a history of diabetes or those at risk may require additional management. It is crucial for patients to discuss all existing medical conditions and other medications with their healthcare provider before starting Piqray to ensure safe use and proper management of potential side effects.