Nilotinib is used to treat Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+)-positive chronic myelogenous leukaemia.[3][6] It is indicated for the treatment of newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase;[3][5] adults with chronic phase and accelerated phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia resistant to or intolerant to prior therapy that included imatinib;[3][5] and children with chronic phase and accelerated phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia resistant or intolerant to prior tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy.[3][5]
Nilotinib has a number of adverse effects including headache, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, muscle and joint pain, rash and other skin conditions, flu-like symptoms, and reduced blood cell count. Less typical side effects are those of the cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure, various types of arrhythmia, and prolonged QT interval. Nilotinib can also affect the body's electrolyte and glucose balance.[11] Though lung-related adverse effects are rare when compared with imatinib and dasatinib, there is a case report of acute respiratory failure from diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a people taking nilotinib.[12]
Check serum lipase periodically in order to detect pancreatitis
Total gastrectomy
Avoid pregnancy or impregnating women
Dose reduction has been recommended in people with liver problems which involves recommendation of lower starting dose and monitoring of any hepatic function abnormalities.[15]
Nilotinib has been reported as a substrate for OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Interaction of nilotinib with OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 may alter its hepatic disposition and can lead to transporter mediated drug-drug interactions.[15] Nilotinib is an inhibitor of OATP-1B1 transporter but not for OATP-1B3.[17]
It is a substrate for CYP3A4 and hence grapefruit juice and other CYP3A4 inhibitors[18] will increase its action and inducers like St. John's wort[19] will decrease it. Patients report that pomegranates and starfruit may also interfere.
Pharmacology
Crystal structure of Abl kinase domain (blue) in complex with nilotinib (red)
Structurally related to imatinib,[22] It is 10–30 fold more potent than imatinib in inhibiting Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase activity and proliferation of Bcr-Abl expressing cells.[22][23][24][25]
Nilotinib was developed by Novartis.[8] It was developed based on the structure of the Abl-imatinib complex to address imatinib intolerance and resistance.[26][23][24]
There is weak evidence that nilotinib may be beneficial with Parkinson's disease (PD), with a small clinical trial suggesting it might halt progression and improve symptoms.[29] However, there were significant side effects including infection, liver function tests abnormalities, hallucinations and heart attack, and the benefit in PD disappeared at follow up after drug discontinuation, raising question as to whether it was truly a disease modifying therapy. Nilotinib is currently undergoing phase II studies for treatment of Parkinson's.[30] Scientists and medical professionals have advised caution with over-optimistic interpretation of its effects in Parkinson's due to the significant media hype surrounding the small and early clinical trial.[31][32] Dystonia and cognitive impairment have also been reported as side effects.[33]
Other
Novartis announced in April 2011, that it was discontinuing a phase III trial of nilotinib as the first-line treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) based on the recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee. Interim results showed Tasigna is unlikely to demonstrate superiority compared to Novartis's Gleevec (imatinib)*, the current standard of care in this setting.[34]
^World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.
^Komoroski BJ, Zhang S, Cai H, Hutzler JM, Frye R, Tracy TS, et al. (May 2004). "Induction and inhibition of cytochromes P450 by the St. John's wort constituent hyperforin in human hepatocyte cultures". Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 32 (5): 512–518. doi:10.1124/dmd.32.5.512. PMID15100173.
^Manley PW, Drueckes P, Fendrich G, Furet P, Liebetanz J, Martiny-Baron G, et al. (March 2010). "Extended kinase profile and properties of the protein kinase inhibitor nilotinib". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics. 1804 (3): 445–453. doi:10.1016/j.bbapap.2009.11.008. PMID19922818.
^ abManley PW, Cowan-Jacob SW, Mestan J (December 2005). "Advances in the structural biology, design and clinical development of Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitors for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics. 1754 (1–2): 3–13. doi:10.1016/j.bbapap.2005.07.040. PMID16172030.
^Breccia M, Alimena G (February 2010). "Nilotinib: a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia". Leukemia Research. 34 (2): 129–134. doi:10.1016/j.leukres.2009.08.031. PMID19783301.
^Manley PW, Stiefl N, Cowan-Jacob SW, Kaufman S, Mestan J, Wartmann M, et al. (October 2010). "Structural resemblances and comparisons of the relative pharmacological properties of imatinib and nilotinib". Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. 18 (19): 6977–6986. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2010.08.026. PMID20817538.
^Robledo I, Jankovic J (September 2017). "Media hype: Patient and scientific perspectives on misleading medical news". Movement Disorders. 32 (9): 1319–1323. doi:10.1002/mds.26993. PMID28370445. S2CID30022509.
