A targeted tablet for a specific type of lung cancer
Mobocertinib
A targeted tablet used to treat a specific type of lung cancer driven by a particular EGFR gene change.
What is Mobocertinib?
Mobocertinib is a specialist targeted cancer medicine, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor taken as a capsule, used for a particular type of non-small-cell lung cancer driven by a change called an EGFR exon 20 insertion. It blocks a faulty signal that tells the cancer to grow. The most important safety issues are severe diarrhoea, which needs prompt management to avoid dehydration, and effects on the heart, including a change in its electrical rhythm called the QT interval that can lead to dangerous rhythms. It can also cause inflammation of the lungs. It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is essential, and it is used only under cancer specialists.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Mobocertinib — 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
Mobocertinib is a targeted treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer caused by a specific gene change in the EGFR gene, known as an exon 20 insertion. It is one of a group of medicines called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which block faulty growth signals inside cancer cells. It is taken by mouth as a capsule, usually every day, and is used in people whose cancer has this particular change and has progressed after earlier treatment. Because of its heart and bowel effects, it needs careful monitoring and is prescribed and supervised by a cancer specialist team.
How it works
In this type of lung cancer, a change in the EGFR gene produces a faulty protein that constantly sends signals telling the cancer cells to grow and divide. Mobocertinib blocks this faulty protein, switching off the abnormal signal so the cancer's growth slows and cells can die. Because the signal is a key driver of this particular cancer, targeting it can shrink or hold back the disease. It is taken daily to keep the signal blocked over time, with regular checks of the heart rhythm and careful attention to bowel symptoms, which are the main side effects.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist targeted cancer medicine used for a particular type of non-small-cell lung cancer with a specific EGFR gene change.
Practical use
How to take Mobocertinib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the capsules by mouth as prescribed, usually once a day at about the same time, swallowed whole.
- Start anti-diarrhoea treatment early as advised and keep well hydrated; tell your team if diarrhoea is severe or persistent.
- Attend your heart tracings (ECGs) and blood tests, as it can affect the heart's rhythm.
- Report any new or worsening breathlessness or cough straight away, as it can inflame the lungs.
- Use reliable contraception during treatment and for as long as advised, as it can harm an unborn baby.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Mobocertinib
Advantages
- A targeted tablet for lung cancer driven by a specific EGFR exon 20 change.
- Taken by mouth at home rather than as a drip in hospital.
- Blocks a key growth signal that drives this particular type of cancer.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes diarrhoea, which can be severe and lead to dehydration.
- Can affect the heart's rhythm and muscle, needing heart tracings and blood-salt checks.
- Can inflame the lungs and can harm an unborn baby, so contraception is essential.
Practical use
Good to know
Two safety points stand out with mobocertinib. The first is diarrhoea, which is very common and can be severe; it is important to start anti-diarrhoea treatment early as advised, keep well hydrated, and tell your team promptly if it is frequent or not settling, as the dose may need pausing or lowering. The second is its effect on the heart: it can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval) and the heart muscle, which can lead to dangerous rhythm problems, so you will have heart tracings (ECGs) and blood-salt checks, and medicines that also affect the rhythm are reviewed. It can also cause inflammation of the lungs, so new or worsening breathlessness or cough must be reported urgently. It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is essential during and after treatment, and it is taken only under specialist cancer care.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to mobocertinib should not take it.
- It must not be used in pregnancy, as it can seriously harm an unborn baby; reliable contraception is needed.
- It is used with particular care in people with heart-rhythm problems or those taking other medicines that affect the QT interval, under specialist supervision.
Monitoring
- Heart tracings (ECGs) and blood-salt checks to watch the heart's rhythm.
- Close attention to diarrhoea and hydration, with early anti-diarrhoea treatment.
- Watching for lung inflammation, and reviewing how the cancer responds over time.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea, which can be severe, along with nausea, vomiting, mouth soreness and reduced appetite.
- Changes in the heart's rhythm (the QT interval), which can rarely lead to dangerous rhythms.
- Skin rash, dry skin and nail changes, and tiredness.
- Less commonly, inflammation of the lungs causing breathlessness or cough, which needs urgent review.
Key interactions
- Medicines that also affect the heart's QT interval should be reviewed, as the effect can add up.
- Some medicines and grapefruit can change mobocertinib levels in the body, so tell your team what you take.
- Give a full list of all your medicines, including anything bought over the counter, to your specialist team.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Mobocertinib: frequently asked questions
What is mobocertinib used for?
It is used to treat a specific type of non-small-cell lung cancer driven by an EGFR exon 20 insertion, blocking the faulty growth signal that drives the cancer.
Why is diarrhoea such a concern?
Diarrhoea is very common and can be severe, so it is important to start anti-diarrhoea treatment early, stay hydrated and tell your team if it does not settle, as the dose may need adjusting.
Why do I need heart tracings?
Mobocertinib can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval) and muscle, which can lead to dangerous rhythms, so heart tracings (ECGs) and blood-salt checks are used.
Can it affect my lungs?
Less commonly it can inflame the lungs, so any new or worsening breathlessness or cough should be reported urgently.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
No. It can seriously harm an unborn baby, so it must not be used in pregnancy and reliable contraception is essential during and after treatment.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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