Sacituzumab govitecan is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer. It's a type of treatment called an antibody-drug conjugate, which means it combines two different types of substances to fight cancer cells more effectively.
let's break down what sacituzumab govitecan is made of:
1. **Antibody**: The "sacituzumab" part of the medicine is an antibody. An antibody is a protein made by the immune system that can recognize and attach to specific proteins on the surface of cells. In this case, sacituzumab targets a protein called Trop-2, which is found on the surface of many cancer cells.
2. **Drug**: The "govitecan" part is the drug component of the medicine. It's a chemotherapy drug called SN-38, which is a powerful substance that can kill cancer cells.
Now, let's talk about how sacituzumab govitecan works:
When someone is given sacituzumab govitecan through an infusion (a slow drip into a vein), the antibody part of the medicine attaches to the Trop-2 proteins on the surface of cancer cells. This is like putting a "target" on the cancer cells, making them easier to find.
Once the sacituzumab govitecan attaches to the cancer cells, it releases the chemotherapy drug, SN-38, directly into the cancer cells. This is important because it helps to minimize damage to healthy cells, which can reduce side effects.
Once inside the cancer cells, SN-38 interferes with their ability to grow and divide, ultimately causing them to die. This helps to shrink tumors and slow down the progression of the cancer.
Sacituzumab govitecan is currently approved for the treatment of certain types of advanced or metastatic cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer and metastatic urothelial cancer. It's typically used when other treatments have stopped working or when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Like all medicines, sacituzumab govitecan can cause side effects. Some common side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and low levels of certain blood cells. However, the side effects of sacituzumab govitecan are often milder compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs because it specifically targets cancer cells.
In summary, sacituzumab govitecan is a type of targeted therapy that combines an antibody and a chemotherapy drug to effectively attack cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. It's an important treatment option for certain types of advanced cancers and can help improve outcomes for patients.
Have any queries, book a consultation with our Oncology Clinical Specialist
Sacituzumab govitecan
Sacituzumab govitecan works like a double agent against cancer cells. It's made of two parts: an antibody and a chemotherapy drug.
First, the antibody part of the medicine acts like a homing device. It latches onto a specific protein called Trop-2, which is found on the surface of cancer cells. This helps the medicine find its target.
Once the medicine attaches to the cancer cells, it releases the chemotherapy drug, SN-38, directly into them. This drug is like a powerful poison for cancer cells. It disrupts their ability to grow and multiply, eventually causing them to die.
So, sacituzumab govitecan is like a smart missile that homes in on cancer cells, delivering a lethal blow to them while sparing healthy cells as much as possible. This helps to shrink tumors and slow down the spread of cancer throughout the body.
Have any queries, book a consultation with our Oncology Clinical Specialist