Lorlatinib (Lorviquq)
Lorlatinib is a new type of targeted cancer drug. It is pronounced lor-la-tih-nib.
Lorlatinib is a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer with an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene change. It is also called ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
You might have lorlatinib for non-small cell lung cancer if you had treatment with an ALK-targeted drug before and your cancer has started to grow again (progressed).
In Scotland, you can also have lorlatinib for ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer previously not treated with an ALK-targeted drug.
How does lorlatinib work?
Lorlatinib is a type of targeted drug called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) 
. Tyrosine kinases are proteins that cells use to signal to each other to grow. They act as chemical messengers. Blocking these signals helps to slow or stop the cancer from growing.
There are several different tyrosine kinases. You have tests on your cancer cells before you have this treatment. The tests look for changes in these proteins and genes. With lorlatinib they look for the ALK gene change.
How do you take Lorlatinib?
You take lorlatinib as tablets that you swallow. You swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. You can take them with or without food.
You should take the right dose, not more or less.
Talk to your healthcare team before you stop taking a cancer drug, or if you miss a dose.
How often do you Lorlatinib?
You take lorlatinib once a day.
You usually take it for as long as it is working and you don't have too many side effects.
Interesting Fact
Why do most Cancer drugs end with the word NIB?
A variety of biologics, in the form of either monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) or small molecule kinase inhibitors (Nibs), are continuously introduced in the clinic for the management of autoimmune and malignant diseases.
