Breast cancer is responsible for approximately 670,000 fatalities annually. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer was the most prevalent form of cancer affecting women in 157 out of 185 countries in 2022. More than 2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and targeted treatments. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kisqali, also known as ribociclib, for use in conjunction with hormone therapy in the early stages of breast cancer treatment. This approval aims to benefit patients concerned about cancer recurrence. The FDA stated, "Ribociclib (Kisqali, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation) has been approved, along with an aromatase inhibitor, for the adjunctive treatment of adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative stage II and III early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. Moreover, the FDA has also sanctioned the use of the ribociclib and letrozole co-pack (Kisqali Femara Co-Pack, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation) for the same purpose." Kisqali, a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, hinders the progression of cancer by targeting proteins known as cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), which are crucial for cancer cell growth and division. By precisely inhibiting these proteins, Kisqali helps prevent uncontrolled cancer cell replication. Kisqali is administered orally in pill form and is typically prescribed for a three-week cycle with a one-week break, to be repeated over three years. The medication can be taken with or without food, with a recommended daily oral dose of 400 mg.Kisqali Editorial: Adverse Effects
The typical side effects linked to Kisqali medication include low white blood cell count or neutropenia. Neutropenia happens when there is a decrease in neutrophil levels in the blood; neutrophils are vital for combating infections in the body. Another potential side effect of Kisqali is liver and interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis-related problems.
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