Afinitor is used in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer;
neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), a type of cancer located in the stomach and intestine,
lung or pancreas; tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with angiomyolipoma of the kidney
(a kidney tumour) not requiring immediate surgery; TSC with subependymal giant cell
astrocytoma (sometimes called 'SEGA'), a specific type of brain tumour not requiring
immediate surgery or certain types of seizures (epilepsy) associated with TSC in children
and adults.
Afinitor is also used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive HER2 negative
advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women, in conjunction with exemestane after
failure of letrozole or anastrozole.
It is only used in patients whose tumour has tested negative to HER2.
Everolimus is the active substance in Afinitor.
Treatment of kidney cancer
Afinitor stops the cancer from making new cells and cuts off the blood supply. This
slows the growth and spread of the cancer.
Treatment of NETs
Afinitor is used to control the growth of these tumours located in the stomach and
intestine, lung or pancreas.
Treatment of SEGA
Afinitor reduces the size of brain tumours (SEGA) that are caused by a genetic disorder
called tuberous sclerosis. This may stop the tumours from causing problems as they
grow, such as hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of fluid within the brain).
Treatment of TSC with angiomyolipoma of the kidney
Afinitor may reduce the size of angiomyolipoma of the kidney that is associated with
a genetic disorder called TSC. This may lower the risk of the tumour(s) causing bleeding
complications and may help to preserve kidney function.
Treatment of TSC with seizures
Afinitor may reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with a genetic disorder
called TSC.
Treatment of hormone receptor-positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer
Growth of this type of breast cancer is stimulated by oestrogens which are female
sex hormones. Oestrogen inhibitors such as letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane reduce
the amount of oestrogen and can slow the growth of breast cancers. After failure of
letrozole or anastrozole, exemestane is used in combination with Afinitor to prevent
the breast cancer cells from becoming resistant to the exemestane.
The medicine is started by a specialist doctor experienced in tumour treatments.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Afinitor is available only with a doctor's prescription and is not addictive.
Children and adolescents
AFINITOR is not to be used in children or adolescents for the treatment of hormone
receptor-positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer, advanced neuroendocrine tumours
or advanced kidney cancer.
AFINITOR is not to be used in children less than 1 years of age for treatment of SEGA
associated with TSC.
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