Cabometyx (Cabozantinib) for Kidney Cancer

Overview
Cabometyx is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It may be used either as a single agent or in combination with nivolumab as a first-line treatment. Cabometyx is also known by its drug name, cabozantinib.

Cabozantinib is a kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking proteins that promote cancer cell growth, blood vessel development, and the spread of tumors. By targeting these pathways, cabozantinib may slow the progression of kidney cancer and shrink tumors.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Cabometyx is taken orally, once daily, on an empty stomach (at least one hour before or two hours after eating). Dosing sizes vary depending on whether it’s taken with nivolumab. The drug should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Cabometyx as a single agent include diarrhea, fatigue, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (hand-foot syndrome), decreased appetite, hypertension (high blood pressure), nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and constipation.

Common side effects of Cabometyx when used in combination with nivolumab include diarrhea, fatigue, hepatotoxicity (liver damage), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), rash, hypertension, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), musculoskeletal pain (pain in muscles, bones, or joints), decreased appetite, nausea, dysgeusia (altered taste), abdominal pain, cough, and upper respiratory tract infection.

Rare but serious side effects may include hemorrhage (serious bleeding), gastrointestinal perforation or fistula (holes or abnormal connections in the digestive tract), thrombotic events (blood clots), hypertensive crisis (sudden and severe high blood pressure), osteonecrosis of the jaw (bone loss in the jaw), hepatotoxicity, adrenal insufficiency (impaired adrenal hormone production), reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS, a rare brain condition), proteinuria (excess protein in urine), impaired wound healing, thyroid dysfunction, hypocalcemia (low blood calcium), and embryo-fetal toxicity (harm to an unborn baby).

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Label: Cabometyx — Cabozantinib Tablet — DailyMed