Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a prescription drug used to treat certain breast cancers. Scientists have studied the success rate of Trodelvy and found it to be effective in managing certain aspects of these cancers in some people.
Trodelvy can help improve survival rates for people with some types of breast cancer. It can also help prevent certain quality-of-life factors from becoming worse.
This article discusses Trodelvy treatment, including its uses and whether it’s chemotherapy or immunotherapy. It also discusses side effects, results, and general outlook for those using this medication.
Trodelvy is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein given over time) by a healthcare professional in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. You may be prescribed other drugs along with Trodelvy.
This drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following types of cancer in adults:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): TNBC is a type of cancer that tends to grow and spread
fast , with fewer treatment options than other cancers. Doctors prescribe Trodelvy for this type of cancer in certain people who have received two or more prior treatments. (This includes at least one treatment for metastatic cancer.) - Hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer: HR-positive and HER2-negative breast cancers are some of the most
common types of breast cancer. Doctors prescribe Trodelvy for these cancers in certain people who have already received endocrine therapy and at least two additional treatments for metastatic cancer.
In the drug’s studies, researchers found that Trodelvy helped people manage certain effects of cancer.
They compared the results of people not taking Trodelvy to those who were and found that half the people taking this medication:
- lived without cancer progression for about 38% longer
- lived about 29% longer overall
- took 1.3 months longer for their overall health and quality of life to worsen
- took almost 1 month longer for their fatigue to worsen
They did not find any significant differences in how a person’s pain worsened.
What’s the life expectancy with Trodelvy?
Trodelvy can improve life expectancy. Scientists examined the effect of Trodelvy on breast cancer in a
What’s the survival rate with Trodelvy?
In 2023, scientists studied Trodelvy survival rates and found that the 12-month overall survival rate was
Trodelvy is a targeted therapy drug. It belongs to a group of drugs called antibody-drug conjugates that
Your doctor will prescribe a repeating 21-day Trodelvy treatment cycle. You’ll receive a dose on the first and eighth day of a 21-day period before starting the cycle again.
You and your doctor will decide how many cycles you need, based on factors that include:
- how your cancer responds to treatment
- how well your body tolerates side effects of the drug
You may need several months of treatment.
Some common side effects of Trodelvy include:
- tiredness or weakness
- nausea
- diarrhea
- hair loss
- severe neutropenia (low level of neutrophils, a kind of white blood cell), which may lead to serious or life threatening infection
- changes in chemical or mineral levels in your body (such as low sodium or low potassium)
Doctors may prescribe additional medication to help manage some of these side effects. Get immediate professional medical care if you develop signs of infection during Trodelvy treatment.
Trodelvy is a targeted therapy that can help destroy cancer by delivering a chemotherapy drug into cancer cells.
Scientists studying Trodelvy have found that it can improve life expectancy by several months. It may also shrink tumors and improve your quality of life.
Trodelvy can cause a number of side effects, but your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help manage many of them.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.