Afinitor (everolimus), a medication for patients with PNET (progressive neuroendocrine tumors) in the pancreas whose tumor cannot be surgically removed or whose cancer has metastasized (spread), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Afinitor (everolimus) is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.
Afinitor also lowers your body’s immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or “reject” a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
Afinitor is used to treat advanced kidney cancer. Afinitor is usually given after sorafenib (Nexavar) or sunitinib (Sutent) have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Afinitor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Most important: You should not use Afinitor if you are allergic to everolimus, sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or temsirolimus (Torisel), or if you have problems digesting lactose or galactose (sugar).
Before taking Afinitor, tell your doctor if you have a breathing disorder such as asthma or COPD, liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of skin cancer.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while using Afinitor. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine. There are many other drugs that can interact with Afinitor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
To be sure Afinitor is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver and kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
The most commonly reported side effects for Afinitor were stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), rash, fatigue, diarrhea, edema, abdominal pain, fever, headache and nausea.
Afinitor is already approved for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) after the patient did not respond properly to Sutent or Nexavar. It is also administered to patients with a type of brain cancer (subependymal giant cell astrocytoma) whose tumor cannot be surgically removed.
Zortress, another trade name for Afinitor, is used as an immunosuppressant for kidney transplantation recipients.
