A targeted tablet for chronic myeloid leukaemia
Asciminib
A targeted oral cancer medicine used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).
What is Asciminib?
Asciminib is a specialist targeted cancer medicine used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a cancer of the blood-forming cells. It works in a newer way by attaching to a specific pocket on the abnormal BCR-ABL protein that drives the leukaemia, switching it off. It is taken as a tablet by mouth, usually long term, under specialist care. The main risks are low blood counts, inflammation of the pancreas (shown by raised lipase), raised blood pressure and changes in the heart's rhythm (the QT interval). It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is important.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Asciminib — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Asciminib is a targeted cancer medicine for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many abnormal white blood cells. CML is driven by a faulty protein called BCR-ABL. Asciminib is a newer type of blocker that attaches to a particular part of this protein, which is why it can sometimes work when other similar medicines have stopped working. It is taken by mouth as a tablet, usually over a long period, and is prescribed and supervised by a haematology specialist team.
How it works
Chronic myeloid leukaemia is driven by an abnormal protein called BCR-ABL that is permanently switched on, constantly telling blood cells to multiply. Asciminib attaches to a specific pocket on this protein and locks it into an inactive shape, switching off the growth signal so the leukaemia is brought under control. Because it targets a different site from older blockers, it can be useful when the disease has become resistant to them. It is taken regularly to keep the abnormal protein switched off over time.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist cancer medicine used in the UK to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia, taken as a tablet by mouth.
Practical use
How to take Asciminib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the tablets by mouth as prescribed, swallowing them whole and following advice on whether to take them with or without food.
- Take it at about the same times each day to keep the effect steady, and do not miss doses.
- Attend regular blood tests and blood-pressure checks, and report unusual bleeding, bruising or signs of infection.
- Report severe tummy pain, palpitations, dizziness or fainting promptly.
- Use reliable contraception as advised, and share a full list of your other medicines with your team.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Asciminib
Advantages
- A targeted oral treatment for CML that can be taken at home.
- Works in a newer way that can help when the leukaemia has become resistant to other similar medicines.
- Often well tolerated and controls the disease over a long period under specialist care.
Disadvantages
- Can lower blood counts and cause inflammation of the pancreas.
- Can raise blood pressure and affect the heart's rhythm (the QT interval).
- Interacts with several other medicines and can harm an unborn baby.
Practical use
Good to know
Several safety points matter with asciminib. It can lower your blood counts, so blood tests are done regularly and you should report unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness or signs of infection such as fever. It can cause inflammation of the pancreas, picked up partly through a blood test called lipase, so report severe tummy pain, especially with sickness. It can raise blood pressure, which is checked at appointments, and it can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval), so report palpitations, dizziness or fainting and tell your team about other medicines that affect the heart rhythm. It can harm an unborn baby, so effective contraception is important during treatment. Always share a full medicines list, as it interacts with several other medicines.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to asciminib should not take it.
- It is not suitable in pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby; effective contraception is needed.
- It is used with caution in people with heart-rhythm problems, pancreas problems or uncontrolled high blood pressure, under specialist guidance.
Monitoring
- Regular blood counts and blood tests including pancreas (lipase) and liver checks.
- Blood-pressure checks and heart-rhythm monitoring where appropriate.
- Reviewing how the leukaemia is responding over time.
Side effects
- Low blood counts, leading to tiredness, bruising, bleeding or a greater risk of infection.
- Inflammation of the pancreas, shown partly by a raised blood test (lipase), with tummy pain.
- Raised blood pressure and changes in the heart's rhythm (the QT interval).
- Headache, aches and pains, tiredness and changes in liver blood tests.
Key interactions
- Medicines and foods that affect the liver's drug-handling enzymes can raise or lower its levels.
- Other medicines that affect the heart's QT interval should be reviewed when taking asciminib.
- It can change the levels of some other medicines, so a full medicines list is important.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Asciminib: frequently asked questions
What is asciminib used for?
It is a targeted cancer medicine used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) by switching off the abnormal BCR-ABL protein that drives the disease.
How is it different from other CML medicines?
It attaches to a different part of the BCR-ABL protein than older blockers, which is why it can sometimes work when the disease has become resistant to them.
Why do I need regular blood tests?
It can lower your blood counts and affect the pancreas and liver, so regular blood tests help catch any problems early.
Does it affect the heart?
It can raise blood pressure and affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval), so these are checked and you should report palpitations or fainting.
Can I take it in pregnancy?
No. It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is important during treatment; discuss any pregnancy plans with your specialist.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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