Eribulin mesylate is an anti-cancer drug. It can help treat breast cancer sufferers whose cancers have spread around the body. It works by affecting the ability of the cancer cells to multiply and spread. Eribulin mesylate comes in injection form.
The mode of action of eribulin mesylate is to prevent the microtubules of the cell from growing. The microtubules form part of the structure of the cell and help the cell divide and form another, identical daughter tumor cell, which is the basis of tumor growth. The drug can also kill the cells during division as the microtubules fail to perform their regular job.
This drug is a synthetic chemical that is similar to a naturally occurring substance called halicondhrin B, which is produced by a sea sponge. The medication is used specifically to help women who have breast cancer that has spread from its original site in the breast. It is not normally a first option for treatment, but it is prescribed after other drugs have been tried to treat the cancer.
A typical dosage regimen of the drug involves injections of the liquid. Each vial of the drug typically contains 1 milligram of the chemical in 2 milliliters of liquid, which is made up of a sterile mixture of alcohol and water. The patient often receives one injection on one day and another seven days later. The doctor injects the drug directly into a vein, and the entire procedure takes five minutes or less. This cycle is repeated over a 21-day time period.
Common side effects of the medication include fever and a drop in the levels of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cells. This can increase the risk of infections. Anemia, which affects the red blood cells, is another possible adverse effect. Abnormal tingling or numbness in the extremities is a risk, and hair loss, tiredness and nausea are also common reactions to the drug. Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding, should consult their doctor before taking eribulin mesylate, because the risks to the fetus or to an infant through breast milk are unknown.
