What is alpelisib used for?
Alpelisib (brand name Piqray) is a prescription cancer medicine used with fulvestrant to treat people with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has a specific mutation in the PIK3CA gene. The treatment is intended for patients whose disease has progressed after endocrine therapy.
How does alpelisib work?
Alpelisib is a PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitor. It targets the PI3K pathway, which can drive cancer growth in tumors with PIK3CA mutations. By inhibiting PI3K signaling, it aims to slow or stop tumor progression in eligible patients.
Who is eligible to take it?
Eligibility depends on both cancer type and a companion test for the PIK3CA mutation. It is generally used only when the tumor is PIK3CA-mutated and otherwise matches the indicated breast cancer subtype (hormone receptor–positive and HER2-negative), and when used with fulvestrant in the appropriate line of therapy.
What side effects are patients most concerned about?
Patients and clinicians commonly watch for predictable class-related and patient-management issues such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and rash. Other adverse effects can occur depending on the patient, dose, and overall health, and clinicians typically monitor closely and may adjust treatment if problems develop.
How is it taken?
Alpelisib is an oral therapy, taken by mouth. The dosing schedule and any dose reductions or interruptions depend on tolerability and lab values (especially glucose) and on how the cancer responds.
What drug does it get compared with?
In practice, alpelisib is used as a targeted option for PIK3CA-mutated, HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer, often compared with other lines of endocrine-based therapy and targeted regimens used in similar settings based on prior treatments and biomarker status.
Is there a patent or exclusivity timeline?
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent and market exclusivity information by drug. If you want a specific “when does it expire” answer, the exact status depends on the specific patent family and country—DrugPatentWatch.com is a good place to check for the latest details for alpelisib: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/search/alpelisib
What to do before starting (practical considerations)
Because alpelisib can affect blood sugar and skin, patients typically have baseline testing and ongoing monitoring during treatment. The prescribing clinician will also review other medications and comorbidities to reduce the risk of complications and plan supportive care or dose changes if side effects occur.
If you tell me your situation, I can narrow it down
If you share whether you mean (1) clinical use/indications, (2) side effects and monitoring, or (3) patents/availability in a specific country, I can tailor the answer more precisely.
Sources:
1. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/search/alpelisib