The FDA has approved a new drug called Truqap (capivasertib) for certain adults with advanced breast cancer. This drug is taken as a pill and is used together with another medicine called fulvestrant. It is for patients whose breast cancer is hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HER2-negative, and whose tumors have specific changes in the PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes. These changes can be found with a special test approved by the FDA.
Truqap is meant for patients whose cancer has gotten worse after at least one hormone therapy for advanced disease, or whose cancer came back within 12 months of finishing hormone therapy after surgery. This approval gives a new targeted treatment option for a specific group of patients. It is not for everyone with breast cancer.
This approval is based on a study that showed the combination helped slow the growth of cancer in these patients. However, like all medicines, Truqap can cause side effects. Common ones include high blood sugar, diarrhea, and rash. Your doctor will monitor you closely.
If you have advanced breast cancer, talk to your doctor about whether testing for these genetic changes is right for you. This new option may be a good fit, but it is important to discuss all your treatment choices with your healthcare team.