PI3 Kinase and AKT Inhibitors for Metastatic Breast Cancer
What are PI3 kinase and AKT inhibitors?
The PI3 kinase, AKT and PTEN enzymes are on the same cellular pathway. They are important in cell growth and division.
Some breast cancers have a PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN gene mutation. These are mutations in the genes of the breast cancer cells, not the genes of the person.
A PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN tumor gene mutation can affect PI3 kinase and/or AKT activity and cause the cancer to grow. PI3 kinase and AKT inhibitors are designed to block this action.
Testing for PIK3CA, AKT1 and PTEN tumor gene mutations
All hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers should be tested for PIK3CA, AKT1 and PTEN tumor gene mutations [4,6]. These mutations are in the genes of the tumor cells, not in the normal (non-cancer) cells in a person’s body.
Testing for tumor gene mutations can be done by testing the tumor DNA in your blood or by testing tumor tissue [6].
- Some metastatic breast cancers that have a PIK3CA tumor gene mutation can be treated with the PI3 kinase inhibitor alpelisib (Piqray).
- Some metastatic breast cancers that have a PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN tumor gene mutation can be treated with the AKT inhibitor capivasertib (Truqap).
PI3 kinase and AKT inhibitors for metastatic breast cancer treatment
Drug category |
Drug name |
Brand name |
How is it given? |
PI3 kinase inhibitor |
Alpelisib |
Piqray |
Pill |
AKT inhibitor |
Capivasertib |
Truqap |
Pill |
Alpelisib and capivasertib, each in combination with hormone therapy, are used to treat some hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers.
Alpelisib (Piqray) and metastatic breast cancer treatment
Alpelisib in combination with the hormone therapy drug fulvestrant is FDA-approved to treat hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers that:
- Have a PIK3CA tumor gene mutation
- Have been treated with at least one hormone therapy in the past
The combination of alpelisib and fulvestrant can give more time before the cancer worsens compared to fulvestrant alone [23].
| For a summary of research studies on PI3 kinase inhibitors and metastatic breast cancer treatment, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section. |
Learn more about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about emerging areas in treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Capivasertib (Truqap) and metastatic breast cancer treatment
Capivasertib in combination with the hormone therapy drug fulvestrant is FDA-approved to treat some hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancers that:
- Have a PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN tumor gene mutation
- Have been treated with at least one hormone therapy in the metastatic setting in the past
The combination of capivasertib and fulvestrant can give people more time before the cancer worsens compared to fulvestrant alone [69].
| For a summary of research studies on AKT inhibitors and metastatic breast cancer treatment, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section. |
Learn more about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about emerging areas in treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
How are alpelisib and capivasertib given?
Alpelisib and capivasertib are pills.
Side effects of alpelisib and capivasertib
Before you begin taking alpelisib or capivasertib, talk with your health care provider about possible side effects and how to manage them.
|
Side Effects |
Alpelisib |
Possible side effects include high blood sugar, diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting, fatigue and hair loss. Blood sugar levels are monitored while taking alpelisib because nearly everyone who takes it gets high blood sugar levels. It’s recommended you take an antihistamine, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), to lower the risk of rash. |
Capivasertib |
Possible side effects include diarrhea, rash and other skin problems, increased blood sugar levels, decreased white blood cell counts, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. |
Adapted from select sources [23-24,69-70]. |
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Ashley Fernandez, living with metastatic breast cancer
“What keeps me going is my new normal. My life with cancer is completely different, I know I have it and I live with it every single day but it doesn’t take over every single day.”
Treatment guidelines for metastatic breast cancer
Although the exact treatment for metastatic breast cancer varies from person to person, guidelines help make sure high-quality care is given. These guidelines are based on the latest research and agreement among experts.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) are respected organizations that regularly review and update their guidelines.
In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has treatment overviews.
Talk with your health care team about which treatment guidelines they follow.
Monitoring metastatic breast cancer
You’ll be monitored (checked) regularly with scans to see if the cancer is responding to treatment. If the treatment is no longer working, or you’re having a lot of side effects, your health care provider will change your treatment or discuss other options.
Learn more about how metastatic breast cancer is monitored.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials offer the chance to try new treatments and possibly benefit from them.
Many clinical trials are available. Some are available as the first treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Others are for treatments later in the disease course. Consider joining a clinical trial when you’re newly diagnosed, when your oncologist is considering changing treatments or when there are limited treatment options.
Susan G. Komen® Patient Care Center |
If you or a loved one needs information or resources about clinical trials, the Patient Care Center can help. Contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636 or email clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org. Se habla español. |
Metastatic Trial Search |
The Metastatic Trial Search is a web-based clinical trial matching tool that can help you find clinical trials that fit your needs. You can also register to receive Trial Alerts. |
Learn more about clinical trials for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Prescription drug assistance
The cost of drug therapies for metastatic breast cancer can quickly become a financial burden for you and your family.
Medicare and many insurance companies offer prescription drug plans. One may already be included in your policy, or you may be able to buy an extra plan for prescriptions.
You may also qualify for programs that help with drug costs or offer low-cost or free prescriptions.
Many cancer centers have financial counselors who can discuss insurance and cost coverage with you.
Learn more about insurance plans and prescription drug assistance programs.
Learn more about other financial assistance programs.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. |
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Susan G. Komen®‘s position on fairness in oral cancer drug coverage |
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Insurance coverage of oral cancer drugs Cancer medications given through an IV into a vein or by an injection (under the skin or into a muscle) are usually covered under a health insurance plan’s medical benefit. However, cancer medications that are pills (oral cancer drugs) are usually covered under a health insurance plan’s prescription drug benefit. As a result, people often find themselves facing high out-of-pocket costs when filling prescriptions for oral cancer drugs. Sometimes these costs can be thousands of dollars a month. The impact of high cost-sharing High prescription drug costs and the resulting out-of-pocket burden on patients are a barrier to care. They can prevent people from getting the medications prescribed by their health care providers. No one should be forced to get less appropriate treatment because an insurer gives more coverage for IV and injectable drugs than for pills. Efforts to increase fairness in drug coverage Komen supports state and federal efforts to require insurers to provide the same or better coverage for oral cancer drugs as they do for IV and injectable cancer drugs. This would help make sure patients have access to affordable, appropriate treatment. Become a Komen Advocacy Insider Sign up to be a Komen Advocacy Insider and get informed when action is needed on drug coverage issues at the state or national level. |
SUSAN G. KOMEN® METASTATIC BREAST CANCER SUPPORT RESOURCES |
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Updated 03/25/24
