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. The dose for adults with chronic phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is usually 100 mg once daily. For more advanced phases or for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), the dose is 140 mg once daily. Pediatric dosing is based on body weight.

How it works

Dasatinib is a type of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking the activity of certain proteins (kinases) that help cancer cells grow. In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), a specific abnormal protein called BCR-ABL is produced due to a genetic change (Philadelphia chromosome). This protein causes white blood cells to grow uncontrollably.

Dasatinib binds to and blocks BCR-ABL and other related kinases, stopping the signals that tell the cancer cells to grow and divide. By blocking these signals, dasatinib helps slow down or stop the growth of leukemia cells, allowing normal blood cells to recover. This targeted approach helps control the disease and can lead to remission in many patients, especially when started early in the chronic phase of CML. Dasatinib can also work in cases where other medicines, like imatinib, are no longer effective due to resistance.

Who Should take it

Dasatinib is used to treat adults and children (1 year and older) with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in chronic phase. It is also used for adults with more advanced phases of CML (accelerated or blast phase) who are resistant or intolerant to prior therapies, including imatinib.

Additionally, dasatinib is indicated for adults and children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) who have not responded to or cannot tolerate previous treatments. It may be used as a first-line treatment or when other treatments have not worked. Your doctor will decide if dasatinib is right for you based on your diagnosis, previous treatments, and overall health.

Who should not take it

Dasatinib should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to dasatinib or any of its ingredients. There are no absolute contraindications listed, but certain patients need extra caution or may not be suitable for dasatinib:

• Pregnant women: Dasatinib can harm an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not take dasatinib.
• Breastfeeding women: Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
• Patients with severe liver problems: Dasatinib can cause or worsen liver issues, so those with severe liver impairment may need alternative treatments or close monitoring.
• Patients with a history of severe bleeding, heart problems, or lung issues should discuss risks with their doctor, as dasatinib can increase these risks.

Always inform your doctor about all your medical conditions before starting dasatinib.

Commonly used with

In the treatment of Ph+ ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia), dasatinib is often used in combination with chemotherapy. In CML, it is usually used alone, but supportive treatments such as blood transfusions, antibiotics, or growth factors may be given to manage side effects like low blood counts.

Dasatinib should not be taken with certain drugs that affect stomach acid (like proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers), as these can reduce its effectiveness. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.

Commonly tested with

Dasatinib has been compared and tested with other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib, especially in newly diagnosed CML. It is also studied in combination with various chemotherapy regimens for Ph+ ALL in children and adults.

In clinical trials, dasatinib is often tested alongside or after failure of other treatments like imatinib, and sometimes with supportive medications to manage side effects.