What is Sprycel?
Sprycel, known generically as Dasatinib, is a prescription medication used primarily in the treatment of certain types of leukemia. Manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sprycel is a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that plays a crucial role in targeted cancer therapy. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, Sprycel has become an essential component in the management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).
What is Sprycel used for?
Sprycel is indicated for the treatment of:
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML):
- Newly diagnosed chronic phase CML
- Chronic, accelerated, or myeloid or lymphoid blast phase CML with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy, including imatinib (Gleevec).
- Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL):
- Adults with Ph+ ALL who are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy.
Is Sprycel chemotherapy?
Sprycel (Dasatinib) is not classified as traditional chemotherapy. Instead, it is a targeted therapy, specifically a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). While both chemotherapy and targeted therapies are used to treat cancer, they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics.
Traditional Chemotherapy vs. Targeted Therapy
Traditional Chemotherapy:
- Mechanism: Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly dividing cells, which include cancer cells but also affect normal cells that divide quickly, such as those in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles.
- Administration: Chemotherapy is often given intravenously or orally in cycles, allowing time for the body to recover between treatments.
- Side Effects: Because chemotherapy affects both cancerous and healthy cells, it can cause a wide range of side effects, including nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Targeted Therapy:
- Mechanism: Targeted therapies, like Sprycel, specifically target molecular mechanisms involved in cancer cell growth and survival. For Sprycel, this involves inhibiting the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, which is produced by the Philadelphia chromosome in certain leukemias.
- Administration: Targeted therapies are often administered orally as pills or capsules and are typically taken daily.
- Side Effects: While targeted therapies can also cause side effects, these are often different from those associated with traditional chemotherapy. For Sprycel, common side effects include myelosuppression, fluid retention, gastrointestinal symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain. Severe side effects can include pulmonary arterial hypertension, severe bleeding, heart problems, and liver dysfunction.
Benefits of Targeted Therapy
- Specificity: By targeting specific molecules involved in cancer growth, targeted therapies can be more effective against certain cancers with fewer effects on normal cells.
- Personalized Treatment: Targeted therapies can be tailored based on the genetic and molecular profile of an individual’s cancer, making treatment more personalized.
Why is Sprycel SO expensive?
The cost of your Sprycel depends on many factors that are unique to you. These factors can include the type of insurance plan you have such as an HMO, PPO, or Medicaid/Medicare. For starters, each plan, often even those within the same insurance company, will result in different payment amount toward the medication and therefore a different copay.
Is there a Sprycel copay card?
Yes, there is one thing you may be able to do to help lower the cost of your copay and that is to seek a Sprycel copay card. While these programs and the amount of benefits are never guaranteed, they have resulted in a zero copay for some people. It is totally free to apply! Click here to be directed to our Sprycel (Dasatinib) copay card assistance form. Fill it out and someone from our team will be in touch to answer all of your questions.
