Brigatinib (marketed as Alunbrig) is a small-molecule targeted cancer therapy being developed by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Brigatinib acts as both a anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. Brigatinib could overcome resistance to osimertinib conferred by the EGFR C797S mutation if it is combined with an anti-EGFR antibody such as cetuximab or panitumumab.

Use

Brigatinib is used for the treatment of metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have progressed on or are intolerant of crizotinib.

Brigatinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once daily. Take brigatinib at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take brigatinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

lung problems--cough, trouble breathing, chest pain, fever;

vision problems--blurred vision, double vision, increased sensitivity to light, seeing flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision;

high blood pressure--severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed;

high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, nausea, fruity breath odor, weakness, confusion;

heart problems--very slow heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;

muscle problems--unexplained muscle pain or weakness; or pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea,

weight loss.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects may include: nausea, diarrhea; cough; headache; or feeling tired. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.