Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) vs Retsevmo (selpercatinib)

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) vs Retsevmo (selpercatinib)

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) is a chemotherapy drug specifically approved for the treatment of adults with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who have progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy. Retsevmo (selpercatinib), on the other hand, is a targeted therapy designed to treat certain types of thyroid cancers and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that have specific RET gene mutations. When deciding between these medications, it is crucial to consider the type of cancer, its genetic profile, and previous treatments, as Zepzelca is used for SCLC and Retsevmo is tailored for cancers with RET mutations.

Difference between Zepzelca and Retsevmo

Metric Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) Retsevmo (selpercatinib)
Generic name Lurbinectedin Selpercatinib
Indications Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) RET-altered thyroid cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Mechanism of action Covalent DNA binding, inhibits transcription RET kinase inhibition
Brand names Zepzelca Retsevmo
Administrative route Intravenous Oral
Side effects Myelosuppression, fatigue, increased creatinine, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased glucose, nausea, decreased appetite, musculoskeletal pain, dyspnea, and diarrhea Hepatotoxicity, hypertension, QT interval prolongation, bleeding, allergic reactions, myelosuppression, tumor lysis syndrome, impaired wound healing, hypothyroidism, and dry mouth
Contraindications Hypersensitivity to lurbinectedin or excipients Hypersensitivity to selpercatinib or any of its excipients
Drug class Alkylating drug Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Manufacturer Pharma Mar Eli Lilly and Company

Efficacy

Zepzelca (Lurbinectedin) for Small Cell Lung Cancer

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) is a medication specifically approved for the treatment of adults with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) that has progressed after prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Lurbinectedin is a selective inhibitor of oncogenic transcription and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which can lead to the death of cancer cells. The efficacy of Zepzelca was evaluated in a multicenter, single-arm, open-label clinical trial, which included a cohort of patients with SCLC who had disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

The primary endpoint of the study was the overall response rate (ORR), which is the percentage of patients who experienced a significant reduction in tumor size. The results demonstrated that Zepzelca achieved an ORR of 35% with a median duration of response (DoR) of 5.3 months. These findings suggest that Zepzelca can provide a clinically meaningful response in a subset of patients with relapsed or refractory SCLC, although it is important to note that responses may vary and not all patients will experience the same level of benefit.

Retsevmo (Selpercatinib) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Retsevmo (selpercatinib) is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with RET (rearranged during transfection) gene fusions, a rare driver of cancer growth. Selpercatinib targets and inhibits RET signaling pathways, which can be crucial for the survival and proliferation of cancer cells harboring RET gene alterations. The efficacy of Retsevmo for the treatment of NSCLC with RET gene fusions was assessed in a multicenter, open-label, multi-cohort clinical trial.

The trial's primary outcome measure was ORR, both in the treatment-naive and previously treated patients. The results indicated that Retsevmo demonstrated an ORR of 64% in treatment-naive patients and 56% in previously treated patients. The median DoR was not reached in treatment-naive patients and was 17.5 months in previously treated patients, indicating a durable response in a significant proportion of patients. These outcomes highlight Retsevmo's potential as a targeted therapy for NSCLC patients with RET gene fusions, offering a new avenue of treatment for this specific genetic alteration in lung cancer.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Zepzelca
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Retsevmo
  • European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

Access Zepzelca or Retsevmo today

If Zepzelca or Retsevmo are not approved or available in your country (e.g. due to supply issues), you can access them via Everyone.org.

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