Targeted Drug Therapy for Osteosarcoma

In recent years, new drugs that target specific parts of cancer cells have been developed (targeted drugs). They can be used along with chemo in some situations. Or, if chemo drugs are no longer helpful, targeted drugs might be an option.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI)

TKIs work by blocking the signals cells need to grow and divide. Specifically, these drugs affect a tumor’s ability to grow new blood vessels, which it needs to grow and survive. Some examples of TKIs that have been tried in osteosarcoma include:

• Regorafenib (Stivarga)
• Sorafenib (Nexavar)
• Cabozantinib (Cabometyx)

Other TKIs are currently being studied for use in osteosarcoma treatment.

Possible side effects

Side effects of these drugs can include fatigue, loss of appetite, hand-foot syndrome (redness and irritation of the hands and feet), high blood pressure, weight loss, diarrhea, and abdominal (belly) pain.

Less common but more serious side effects can include problems with blood flow to the heart, bleeding, abnormal thyroid test results, and perforations (holes) in the stomach or intestines.