Lenvima (Lenvatinib) for Kidney Cancer

Overview
Lenvima is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer. It is prescribed in combination with pembrolizumab for adults as a first-line treatment, or in combination with everolimus for those who have previously received antiangiogenic therapy. Lenvima is also known by its drug name, lenvatinib.

Lenvatinib is a kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking multiple proteins that promote tumor growth and the development of blood vessels in tumors. By interfering with these proteins, lenvatinib may slow the growth of kidney cancer cells and limit the tumor’s blood supply.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Lenvima is taken orally once daily. It is given in combination with pembrolizumab, which is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion every three weeks. When used with everolimus, both are taken once daily. Dosage adjustments may be required for patients with liver or kidney impairment. The drug should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Lenvima in combination with pembrolizumab include fatigue, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain (pain in muscles, bones, or joints), hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), hypertension (high blood pressure), stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), decreased appetite, rash, nausea, weight loss, dysphonia (voice changes), proteinuria (excess protein in urine), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (hand-foot syndrome), abdominal pain, hemorrhagic events (bleeding), vomiting, constipation, hepatotoxicity (liver damage), headache, and acute kidney injury.

Common side effects of Lenvima in combination with everolimus include diarrhea, fatigue, arthralgia or myalgia (joint or muscle pain), decreased appetite, vomiting, nausea, stomatitis or oral inflammation, hypertension, peripheral edema (swelling of limbs), cough, abdominal pain, dyspnea (shortness of breath), rash, weight loss, hemorrhagic events, and proteinuria.

Rare but serious side effects may include arterial thromboembolic events (blood clots in arteries), cardiac dysfunction (reduced heart function), hepatotoxicity, renal failure or impairment (loss of kidney function), gastrointestinal perforation or fistula formation (abnormal openings in the digestive tract), QT interval prolongation (abnormal heart rhythm), hypocalcemia (low blood calcium), reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS, a rare brain disorder), impaired wound healing, osteonecrosis of the jaw (bone loss in the jaw), and embryo-fetal toxicity (harm to an unborn baby).

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Label: Lenvima — Lenvatinib Capsule; Lenvima — Lenvatinib Kit — DailyMed