How it is administered

Dasatinib is taken by mouth as a tablet. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, cut, or chewed. It can be taken with or without food, either in the morning or evening. For adults with chronic phase CML, the usual starting dose is 100 mg once daily. For adults with advanced phase CML or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), the starting dose is 140 mg once daily. For children, the dose is based on body weight and is also taken once daily.

How it works

Dasatinib is a type of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking the activity of certain proteins called kinases, specifically BCR-ABL and SRC family kinases, which are involved in the growth of cancer cells. In Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias, such as Ph+ ALL, the BCR-ABL protein is produced due to a genetic abnormality and drives the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells.

By inhibiting BCR-ABL and other related kinases, dasatinib helps to stop the growth and spread of leukemia cells. It is effective even in cases where the cancer has become resistant to other similar medications, like imatinib. Dasatinib can also block other pathways that cancer cells use to survive, making it a powerful option for treating certain blood cancers, including Ph+ ALL and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Who Should take it

Dasatinib is used for adults and children (1 year and older) with certain types of blood cancers:

• Adults with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase.
• Adults with chronic, accelerated, or blast phase Ph+ CML who did not respond to or could not tolerate previous therapy, including imatinib.
• Adults with Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who did not respond to or could not tolerate previous therapy.
• Children (1 year and older) with Ph+ CML in chronic phase or newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL (in combination with chemotherapy).

Dasatinib is especially helpful for patients whose leukemia cells have developed resistance to other treatments or who have experienced side effects with other medications.

Who should not take it

There are no absolute contraindications listed for dasatinib, but it should be used with caution in certain situations:

• Pregnant women should not take dasatinib because it can cause harm to an unborn baby.
• Women who are breastfeeding should not use dasatinib, as it is not known if it passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing infant.
• People with a history of severe allergic reactions to dasatinib or any of its ingredients should avoid it.

Caution is also advised in patients with severe liver problems, heart issues, or those at risk for bleeding or fluid retention. Always discuss your full medical history with your doctor before starting dasatinib.

Commonly used with

For children with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL, dasatinib is given in combination with chemotherapy. In adults, it may be used alone or in combination with other supportive medications, such as drugs to manage side effects (e.g., anti-nausea medicines, antibiotics for infections, or medications to manage low blood counts).

Commonly tested with

Dasatinib has been tested in combination with multi-agent chemotherapy in children with Ph+ ALL. In clinical trials for adults with Ph+ CML or Ph+ ALL, it has been compared to or used after other tyrosine kinase inhibitors like imatinib. It is also often studied alongside supportive care treatments to manage side effects.