Eli Lilly has launched anti-cancer drug Tanstrive in India. This is being considered as a new targeted therapy for patients with RET gene mutation. Know its price, working method and important information related to it.
A new option has been added to the field of cancer treatment in India. American pharma company Eli Lilly and Company has launched its anti-cancer drug ‘Tanstrive’ in the Indian market. The company claims that this drug can be especially useful for those patients whose cancer is related to changes in the RET gene. The entry of this drug is being considered important amid the increasing cases of cancer, as it focuses on gene-based and targeted treatment, unlike traditional treatment methods.
How does Tanstrive work?
According to experts, not every cancer is the same. In many patients, the growth of cancer cells is caused by certain gene mutations. Change in RET gene is also considered to be one such reason, which signals cancer cells to grow rapidly. Tanstrive targets this gene change. It tries to block wrong signals from cancer cells, which can slow down tumor growth. This is the reason why it is being kept in the category of ‘targeted therapy’.
How will medicines be given to patients?
According to the company, this medicine will be available in doses of 40 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg and 160 mg. Patients will have to take it twice a day as per the doctor’s advice. Winslow Tucker, President, Eli Lilly India, says cancer treatment is now increasingly moving towards precision and gene-based therapy. Such treatments may provide patients with better options tailored to their disease.
How much is the price?
The most talked about thing about this medicine is its price. The company has said that one box of Tanstrive costs approximately Rs 2.15 lakh. In this, necessary medicines are available for treatment for 14 days. This means that for patients undergoing long-term treatment, its cost can be quite high. However, doctors believe that any targeted therapy is used only on the basis of the patient’s medical condition and gene test reports.
Cancer treatment moving towards gene based treatment
In the last few years, there has been a big change in the world of cancer treatment. Now doctors try to understand the causes of the disease by doing gene profiling of the patients and choose medicines accordingly. The launch of Tanstrive is considered to be a part of this change. However, experts also say that any new medicine should be used only after the advice of a qualified oncologist and proper investigation.