Targeted Therapy for Endometrial Cancer

Targeted therapy aims to more precisely attack cancer cells. These drugs target changes in the genes or proteins of cancer cells that help them grow, divide, and spread. 

These are the targeted therapy drugs that are used most often to treat endometrial cancer. New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list.  

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. Each targeted therapy drug has its own set of side effects and ways of working. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your healthcare team. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about any side effects you do have. 

Expand

All Available Treatments

IV (through a vein) =      Pill =

Treatment Type

Monoclonal antibody 

Drug Name
Herceptin® (Trastuzumab) (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Heart problems
Potential Side Effects
Fever Fatigue/weakness Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea Headache Cough
Important Things to Know
  • This drug type targets HER2.  

  • Before you start this treatment, your doctor may do a test to look at your heart function.   

     

Treatment Type

Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC)

Drug Name
Enhertu® (Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Lung problems Heart problems
Potential Side Effects
Low blood counts Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Fever Weight/appetite changes Hair thinning/loss Fatigue/weakness
Important Things to Know

  • Enhertu is a HER2 antibody connected to a chemotherapy drug called deruxtecan. Enhertu can be an option for those with advanced or recurrent HER2-positive endometrial cancer.  

     

Treatment Type

Kinase Inhibitor  

Drug Name
Lenvima® (Lenvatinib) (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Blood clots Kidney problems Liver problems Heart problems
Potential Side Effects
Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Joint pain/stiffness Muscle pain Weight/appetite changes Blood pressure changes Swelling Nausea/vomiting Mouth sores
Important Things to Know
  • This drug should not be used during pregnancy

  • Mouth sores are a potential side effect that can be painful and affect your oral intake. Speak to your provider about proactive management and an oral care regimen.

     

Treatment Type

Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Drug Name
Avastin® (Bevacizumab) (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Blood clots
Potential Side Effects
Blood pressure changes Fatigue/weakness Low blood counts Headache Mouth sores Diarrhea Weight/appetite changes Bleeding
Important Things to Know
  • This can be taken by itself or alongside other medications. Make sure to speak with your doctor about all the medications and therapies you are taking.  
  • Mouth sores are a potential side effect that can be painful and affect your oral intake. Speak to your provider about proactive management and an oral care regimen.

  • Additional potential severe side effects include holes in the colon and abnormal connections between the bowel and skin or bladder

     

Treatment Type

mTOR inhibitors

Drug Names
Afinitor® (Everolimus) (Pill)
Torisel® (Temsirolimus) (IV)
Potential Side Effects
Mouth sores Skin/nail changes Diarrhea Nausea/vomiting Fatigue/weakness Cough Shortness of breath Low blood counts Swelling
Important Things to Know
  • These can be helpful in endometrial cancer (known as “off label”), however, they are not yet FDA approved for specific use in endometrial cancer.  
  • Mouth sores are a potential side effect that can be painful and affect your oral intake. Speak to your provider about proactive management and an oral care regimen.

  • A potential severe side effect is chest pain.

     

Treatment Type

Multikinase inhibitors

Drug Name
Cabometyx® (Cabozantinib) (Pill)
Potential Side Effects
Fatigue/weakness Weight/appetite changes Diarrhea Nausea/vomiting Blood pressure changes
Important Things to Know
  • This drug works in more than one way in blocking kinase proteins.  

  • Potential severe side effects include hand foot syndrome and holes in the intestine.  

     

Treatment Type

NTRK inhibitors

Drug Names
Vitrakvi® (Larotrectinib) (Pill)
Rozlytrek® (Entrectinib) (Pill)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Emotional or cognitive changes Liver problems Eye problems Heart problems
Potential Side Effects
Low blood counts Fatigue/weakness Nausea/vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Pain
Important Things to Know

  • These drugs are for patients that have an endometrial cancer type that causes change in the NRTK gene.