How it is administered

Asciminib is administered orally in the form of film-coated tablets. The tablets are available in strengths of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 100 mg. Patients should swallow the tablets whole, without breaking, crushing, or chewing them. 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 therapy known as a kinase inhibitor. Specifically, it works by inhibiting the activity of the BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase, a protein that is produced by the Philadelphia chromosome in certain types of blood cancer, such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Asciminib binds to a unique site on the BCR-ABL1 protein called the myristoyl pocket, which is different from where other kinase inhibitors bind.

By blocking this protein, asciminib stops the abnormal signals that cause cancer cells to grow and divide. This helps to control the progression of the disease. Asciminib is effective against both the regular and some mutated forms of BCR-ABL1, including the T315I mutation, which can make the cancer resistant to other treatments.

Who Should take it

Asciminib is indicated for adult patients 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 known to make the disease more difficult to treat with other medications.

Your doctor may recommend asciminib if you have not responded well to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors or if you have a specific mutation (T315I) that limits your treatment options. Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice regarding whether asciminib is suitable for your situation.

Who should not take it

There are no absolute contraindications listed for asciminib. However, it should be used with caution in certain situations:

• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as asciminib can cause harm to an unborn baby.
• If you have a history of pancreatitis, cardiovascular disease, or severe liver or kidney impairment, discuss these with your doctor before starting asciminib.

Always inform your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and medications to ensure asciminib is safe for you.

Commonly used with

Asciminib is generally used alone for the treatment of Ph+ CML in chronic phase. However, it may be prescribed after other tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been tried, such as imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, or bosutinib. It is important to discuss all current medications with your doctor, as asciminib can interact with other drugs.

Commonly tested with

In clinical trials, asciminib has been compared to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors like imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib for the treatment of Ph+ CML. It has also been studied in patients who have previously received two or more other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as those with the T315I mutation.