Alpelisib (INN) (brand name: Piqray) is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of advanced breast cancer. It is a targeted therapy drug indicated for women with hormone-receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative, PIK3CA-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Alpelisib is a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, a type of targeted therapy that works by blocking the action of certain proteins that help cancer cells to survive and grow.
Alpelisib is a medication used to treat certain types of breast cancer and a genetic condition called PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). It is taken by mouth in combination with other medications.
For breast cancer:
- Alpelisib is used in combination with fulvestrant to treat postmenopausal women and men with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer as detected by an FDA-approved test following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.
- It works by blocking the signals that tell cancer cells to grow and multiply.
For PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS):
- Alpelisib is used to treat adults and children 2 years of age or older with certain types of PROS.
- It works by blocking the signals that cause overgrowth and abnormalities in certain body tissues.
Alpelisib is a type of medication called a kinase inhibitor. Kinase inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy that block the action of enzymes called kinases. Kinases are involved in many cellular processes, including cell growth and division. By blocking the action of kinases, kinase inhibitors can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Alpelisib is available under the brand names Piqray and Vijoyce.