How it is administered

Asciminib is taken by mouth as a film-coated tablet. It is available in strengths of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 100 mg. The tablets should be swallowed whole, not broken, crushed, or chewed. It is important to take asciminib on an empty stomach: avoid food for at least 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking the medication.

How it works

Asciminib is a type of targeted cancer therapy known as a kinase inhibitor. Specifically, it inhibits the ABL/BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase, which is a protein produced by the BCR::ABL1 fusion gene found in most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This fusion protein drives the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells in CML.

Asciminib works by binding to a unique site on the ABL1 kinase called the myristoyl pocket, which is different from where other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) bind. This allows asciminib to block the activity of both the normal and mutated forms of BCR::ABL1, including the T315I mutation that can make CML resistant to other TKIs. By blocking this protein, asciminib helps to slow or stop the growth of leukemia cells.

Who Should take it

Asciminib is indicated for adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in the chronic phase. It can be used in patients who are newly diagnosed, those who have been previously treated, and those with the T315I mutation, which is resistant to many other treatments.

Your doctor may recommend asciminib if you have CML and need a new treatment option, especially if previous therapies have not worked or if you have a specific mutation like T315I. It is important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and attend regular check-ups to monitor your response to treatment.

Who should not take it

There are no absolute contraindications listed for asciminib. However, it should not be used by people who are allergic to asciminib or any of its ingredients.

Asciminib can cause harm to an unborn baby, so it should not be used during pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least one week after the last dose. Breastfeeding is also not recommended during treatment and for one week after stopping asciminib. Always inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking, as asciminib can interact with other drugs.

Commonly used with

Asciminib is usually used alone for the treatment of CML. However, it may be considered after other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (such as imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, or bosutinib) have been tried and were not effective or caused side effects. Your doctor will decide the best sequence of treatments based on your specific situation.

Commonly tested with

In clinical studies, asciminib has been compared to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib. It has also been studied in patients who have previously received multiple TKIs. Sometimes, laboratory tests for blood counts, liver function, and pancreatic enzymes are done regularly to monitor for side effects while on asciminib.