Portrazza (Necitumumab) for Lung Cancer

Overview
Portrazza is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with the chemotherapy drugs gemcitabine and cisplatin for the first-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is not indicated for non-squamous NSCLC. Eligibility criteria include having a confirmed metastatic squamous NSCLC diagnosis. Portrazza is also known by its drug name, necitumumab.

Portrazza is a monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of cancer cells. By binding to EGFR, Portrazza inhibits the receptor’s activity, which can slow or stop the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Portrazza is administered as an intravenous infusion. Doses are generally administered over 60 minutes on Days 1 and 8 of each 3-week cycle. It is important that Portrazza is administered exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Portrazza include rash and hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels).

Rare but serious side effects may include cardiopulmonary arrest (heart and breathing suddenly stop), venous and arterial thromboembolic events (blood clots in veins and arteries), severe infusion-related reactions (allergic reactions during or shortly after the infusion), severe dermatologic toxicities (skin reactions), and embryo-fetal toxicity (harm to an embryo, fetus, or unborn infant). 

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Label: Portrazza — Necitumumab Solution — DailyMed

Necitumumab Injection — MedlinePlus