Home All Therapies Afinitor

Afinitor

everolimus
mTOR Inhibitor FDA Approved 2009 Novartis
1. Indications and Usage

Advanced hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer (with exemestane, after letrozole or anastrozole failure); Advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of sunitinib or sorafenib; Progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin (PNET); Progressive, well-differentiated, non-functional neuroendocrine tumors of GI or lung origin; Renal angiomyolipoma with TSC; Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) with TSC

2. Dosage and Administration

Breast cancer/RCC/PNET/GI-NET: 10 mg orally once daily
SEGA: Dose based on BSA, titrate to trough levels of 5-15 ng/mL
Take consistently with or without food

3. Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablets: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg; Tablets for oral suspension (Afinitor Disperz): 2 mg, 3 mg, 5 mg

4. Contraindications

Refer to the complete prescribing information for contraindications. Afinitor prescribing should account for patient-specific factors including hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any excipients.

5. Warnings and Precautions
  • Non-Infectious Pneumonitis: Reported in up to 19% of patients. Monitor with imaging and clinical assessment.
  • Infections: Increased risk of bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoal infections including reactivation of hepatitis B.
  • Stomatitis: Up to 67% incidence. Manage with alcohol-free mouthwash.
  • Metabolic: Hyperglycemia (57%), hyperlipidemia, monitor fasting glucose and lipids.
6. Adverse Reactions
Most Common Adverse Reactions

Stomatitis (67%), infections (50%), rash (39%), fatigue (38%), diarrhea (34%), decreased appetite (31%), nausea (29%), edema (25%), hyperglycemia (57%)

Stomatitis
67%
Hyperglycemia
57%
Infections
50%
Rash
39%
Fatigue
38%
Diarrhea
34%
Decreased Appetite
31%
Nausea
29%
Edema
25%

Consult the complete prescribing information for a comprehensive list of adverse reactions and their frequencies.

7. Drug Interactions

Consult the complete prescribing information for drug interactions, including effects on CYP enzymes, transporters, and concomitant medications that may require dose adjustments or monitoring.

8. Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy

Consult the full prescribing information for pregnancy-related considerations.

Lactation

Refer to prescribing information for lactation guidance.

Pediatric Use

Pediatric safety and efficacy information is detailed in the full label.

Hepatic/Renal Impairment

Dose modifications for organ impairment are specified in the complete prescribing information.

12. Clinical Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action

Everolimus is an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine kinase downstream of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Everolimus binds to FKBP-12, and this complex inhibits mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), reducing protein synthesis, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis in tumor cells.

Pharmacokinetics

Tmax: 1-2 hours. Half-life: approximately 30 hours. Protein binding: ~74%. Metabolized by CYP3A4 and P-gp. Steady-state reached in 2 weeks. Blood-to-plasma ratio: 17-73%. Excreted in feces (80%) and urine (5%).

14. Clinical Studies

Clinical efficacy and safety data supporting the approval are available in the full prescribing information and from the clinical trials listed below.

Pivotal Clinical Trials
Additional Resources
FDA-Approved Tumor Types

Afinitor has FDA-approved indications across the following cancer types covered on PipelineEvidence:

External Resources
Important Notice: This page is intended as a navigational reference to the FDA-approved prescribing information for Afinitor. It does not replace the full prescribing information. Healthcare professionals should consult the complete package insert available at DailyMed before making prescribing decisions. Patient-specific factors should always guide clinical decision-making.