Kisqali (Ribociclib) for Breast Cancer: Uses, Side Effects, and What to Expect

[@yerbba]

Get your Yerbba Report Here: www.yerbba.com/ Take control of your breast cancer treatment with personalized insights.

[@marissaancheta4080]

I have been taking Ribociclib with Letrozole for the past five months. I had rashes and diarrhea so my dose was reduced. There is hair thinning too on my scalp and eyebrows. And my WBC was low ( neutropenia) so I was given an iron supplement. I am also being treated for a dry cough that I have had for the past month. I have experienced occasional fatigue too. But despite these side effects I can do household chores and go out with my friends once in a while. I just make sure that I put a face mask on for my protection. I am very hopeful about my treatment because I can actually feel my tumor has shrunk. I will know by how much it has gotten smaller after my scan next month. I would like to think that this drug combination is a lot better than the traditional chemo infusion because it has less toxic side effects. I have not gone bald, and no metallic taste in the mouth, nausea or vomiting.

[@yerbba]

This is so encouraging to hear, and the side effects are tough. Thanks for sharing your experience, and keep coming back for our videos and for the Yerbba community.

[@laurab9867]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I just started taking Latrozole and know that my oncologist prescribed Ribociclib, which I will be taking soon. My concerns are my low WBC and bone pain associated with Latrozole. We'll see how I react.

[@mansimundra3453]

Hey I want to ask all 3 medicine of ribociblib are taken together or it should be taken in gap please reply mam also did it worked on uh?

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you, Dr. Griggs, for your persistent support on breast cancer (health).

[@yerbba]

We appreciate all of your support!

[@laurab9867]

Dr. Griggs, I am feeling more confident after watching your video. Thank you for this important information. ❤

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching!

[@kimdavid4979]

I’m on Kisqali and have many of the side effects you mentioned. Your last point was helpful for me because I’m down to the lowest dose at this time due to my white blood cell counts and I was sad about that and wondering if the effectiveness was lower as well. I would like to here more from you on the positive effects Kisqali has because I am seeing improvement in my PET scans. Thank you

[@MsDelilaah]

When it happens, take some Vinis vitifera gem. I think that’s the name. I don’t have it with me right now. There are other ways to improve them naturally. I will check and come back to you if I can.

[@yerbba]

Ribociclib and its related drugs are some of the most exciting treatments we have in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer. We would say that the effects you are seeing on your scans are proof positive that Kisqali is effective in treating cancer. Thank you for watching.

[@xolanimsipa7656]

What are cd4k6 inhibitors

[@MeeNge-ct4vw]

Can you make a video for Palbociclib? In comparison with Ribociclib?

[@SamanthaKemp-dl2np]

Thanks for this valuable information. Is it best to eat before taking Kisqali? I have been having issues with keeping the pills down.

[@MsDelilaah]

I heard it’s better. But I take them early in the morning. I don’t have side effects from Kisqali. I think I have from the hormonal medication that comes with kisqali.

[@yerbba]

We're glad you found the information helpful! Yes, it can be beneficial to eat before taking Kisqali to help with nausea. Try having a light meal or snack beforehand. If the issue persists, please let your medical team know!

[@karenbickford8451]

I take mine with lunch, don't eat breakfast, no low BS problems or nausea. Physician approved.

[@lauraglass1558]

Do you have a link to studies about taking lower doses of aromatase inhibitors? I see people talking in social media groups about studies showing it stays in your system for 50 hours so it’s safe to take it every other day to reduce side effects. I’ve not been able to find any studies to support that.

[@yerbba]

For our other viewers, although this video is about ribociclib (Kisqali), this question is asking about aromatase inhibitors. Recent research has explored the possibility of taking aromatase inhibitors less frequently to reduce side effects while maintaining their effectiveness in breast cancer prevention and treatment. A notable study on this topic was published in JAMA Oncology in 2023. The study, titled "Efficacy of Alternative Dose Regimens of Exemestane in Postmenopausal Women With Stage 0 to II Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial," investigated whether less frequent dosing of the aromatase inhibitor exemestane could be as effective as daily dosing. The full citation for this article is: Serrano D, Gandini S, Thomas P, et al. Efficacy of Alternative Dose Regimens of Exemestane in Postmenopausal Women With Stage 0 to II Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2023;9(5):664-672. This randomized, phase 2 clinical trial compared three dosing schedules of exemestane (25 mg): once daily, three times weekly, and once weekly. 180 postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer took part in the trial. The three-times-per-week dosing schedule was found to be non-inferior to the daily dosing in reducing serum estradiol levels. The once-weekly schedule was less effective than the standard daily dose. These results suggest that a less frequent dosing schedule (three times per week) might be an option for some patients, potentially reducing side effects while maintaining efficacy. However, it's important to note that this was a relatively small, short-term study, and further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes. The study looked only at blood levels of a form of estrogen and did not include clinical outcomes like risk of recurrence or survival.

[@thomaskramer440]

How is "advanced cancer" defined? Is it the sama as "metastatic cancer"? Thank you.

[@yerbba]

Such a great question. Advanced cancer means the cancer has grown or spread beyond its original location. Metastatic cancer is a type of advanced cancer where the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. So while all metastatic cancer is advanced, not all advanced cancer is metastatic. Our video explains this more clearly, and you can watch it here for more details![kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIjIo2aodpugZpI]

[@thomaskramer440]

@@yerbba Thank you, very helpful.

[@bhanumathikalyanasundaram.4930]

Could you please make a video about Verzenio ?

[@yerbba]

We actually have a video on Verzenio (abemaciclib) that you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZm9iGtpptGomNE. Thank you for your suggestion and being part of the Yerbba community!

[@bhanumathikalyanasundaram.4930]

@@yerbba OK. Thanks a lot 🙏👍

[@Ralphie-x7m]

Hi! Do you have a tape on cancer antigens? Thanks Ruth

[@yerbba]

If you're asking about antibody-drug conjugates, we do have a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXrSiKWgbcaJkNk

[@HL-qv3yd]

Can you please make a video for abemaciclib for mbc cancer patients dear dr Griggs 🙏 ❤

[@yerbba]

We have a video on Verzenio (abemaciclib) that you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZm9iGtpptGomNE. Thank you for being part of the Yerbba community!

[@MsDelilaah]

I am on the 5th cycle of ribo/letrozol/injections of Enantone and I have to say my side effects are sore mouth but I can handle that easily. On the other sides😢 the hot flashes are killing me. I handle them with a portable fan but they come regularly every hour and during sleeping, it is every 2 hours. Can you explain how it can be that regular? 😢😢😢😢 Apart from that, my blood analysis are good. I always take a supplement if something goes lower. My fatigue is because I don’t sleep a full night. One thing I noticed is the itching. I saw that it means the tumour is shrinking and the body is trying to accommodate with this situation. 😅

[@bhanumathikalyanasundaram.4930]

I too had sore mouth , ulcers.I got relief with a home remedy .Add a teaspoon of fennel seeds and some candy sugar to half a glass of water. Let it stay overnight. Strain the water and drink it on empty stomach in the morning for 4days.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's great to hear that you're managing some of the side effects well, but the regular hot flashes and lack of sleep sound very challenging. Hormonal changes from your treatment can significantly influence the frequency of hot flashes. Meditation may help with the hot flashes. Sleep disturbances from hot flashes are extremely difficult. You might find our video on managing hot flashes during treatment helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZSaoqV-fNCbZpo. Additionally, it is true that the itching you mentioned might indeed be related to the tumor shrinking.

[@gloriahancock998]

My mom is 89 years old, she was diagnosed with stage 3 IDC recently on her right breast. She had surgery in October, and the surgen said she is “cancer free” For her treatment She was just prescribed Letrozole (she will take it for 5 year) and Kisqali. ( for 3 years). She is also having radiation therapy for 5 weeks every day starting this January (2025). My mother is going to start taking the medication after radiation therapy. I am concerned. Her quality of life is good now. The oncologist says there is a 25 to 30 percent chance of the cancer coming back. I think these medications have serious side effects for her age. We’ll see how the radiation goes. But I don’t think she should take the medication. I’ll appreciate any thoughts. Thank you. ❤

[@yerbba]

Your mother is lucky to have such a caring advocate in her corner. It’s understandable to worry about the side effects of medications at her age. Kisqali and Letrozole aim to lower the risk of recurrence, but quality of life is essential. Talk openly with her oncologist about concerns, especially if side effects arise. It may also help to get a second opinion to ensure all options are considered. Sending best wishes for her continued health. With Stage III (3) cancer, there is a high risk of recurrence...probably on the order of 50% risk. She is likely to have better outcomes with some anticancer therapy.

[@CA_AC-legend]

My mother has been advised to take Ribociclib/Palbociclib with letrozole. She has metastatic breast cancer with spread to all visualized bones but to bones only. We are not able to afford ribociclib and hence wish to go for palbociclib. Is it okay? Also do you have video on palbociclib?

[@yerbba]

Palbociclib and ribociclib work the same way. It is likely that they will have equivalent effects for your mother.

[@KMOK2024]

Is your mother on medicare? As of Jan 1 Pres. Biden limited the total per year for drugs. Rather than $5000 per month I pay $3300 per year.

[@wh1303]

Hello, Thank you so much for your informative video about Ribociclib. I am on 14/36 cycles now. And I can manage my side effects. Sometimes I have lower white blood cell problems but my oncologist still let me going on, not sure this is good or not? Cycle 13/36 I found that my liver function alt no. is higher than standard 67. My oncologist still let me continue and said it ok🤔 and bring me to doubt whether it is good or bad? Or is this ok to continue? Moreover I have a question whether it is still beneficial or not as I am luminal B T2N1M0 stage. (My oncologist follows Natalee trial but as my case could be Manach E trial which is FDA approved) My question is Ribociclib still good for me or not? I better to stop? Or change to Abemaciclib ? Thank you so much doctor for your advise 🙏

[@wh1303]

Additional: I take low dose2 a day/21

[@yerbba]

Ribociclib does work in people with luminal B breast cancer, and in fact, the biology of the tumor can change to be more consistent with luminal A behavior. In general, if there are unfavorable changes to the blood tests associated with the liver, the dose is decreased. It depends on the extent of the elevation.

[@artistnikku]

You have not covered the benefits in this video...please do that my mother is on this treatment I want some hopeful information that she can heal from the situation

[@MsDelilaah]

I can tell you a bit about it. I’ve just started my 5th cycle, and after my 3rd one, the pet scan was already showing extinction of some metastatis (1/2 in liver and 1/1 in bone) and lymph nodes and my breast is even smaller than when I discovered it (it was 78mm). Now, it is really small and i feel itchy. For me, according to my readings, it means the tumour is still decreasing. Only one node between the lungs isn’t responding but I am hopeful it will for the next Tep scan in a month. I have an mIBC metastatic inflammatory breast cancer. I feel good apart from the hormonal injection and the letrozol. Hot flashes that are coming every hour and handling with a portable fan and a paper towel that I leave under my bra to catch the sweating. 😅 tell her it can work really well.

[@MsDelilaah]

I have a page on TikTok if she wants to

[@MsDelilaah]

A positive mind and attitude does help too 😊 good luck to her

[@artistnikku]

@@MsDelilaah that is so sweet of you thanku so much for the info shared I keep praying for my mother to heal and will do that for you too you are brave and I am sure my mom will also be the one to beat it...all the best and much good health to you...god bless

[@yerbba]

Thank you for your feedback. Your mother is fortunate to have you finding and harnessing the power of hope. Kisqali (ribociclib) has been shown to be effective in treating HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, particularly when used in combination with other therapies. It can help slow the progression of the disease and has been a hopeful option for many individuals. Ribociclib and its related drugs are some of the most exciting treatments we have in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer.

[@sarwatyasmeen4178]

can we translate it to urdu

[@yerbba]

We hope the KZbin captions help make the content more accessible for everyone. See if you can see those by playing around on KZbin.

[@sabithats6835]

Ur vedios are really great.. i feel very comfort watching ur vedios because it covers all my queries which my doctors fail to answer.. im on ribociclib and letrozole since june 2020.. i do PET scan every 6 months.. i had advanced stage 4 skeletal metastatic breast cancer.. luckily my body doesn't show any disease now..after 9 months of diagnosis my PET scan report came clean.. now im worried about the side effects of this drug because my doctor said me to take this drug for life long im 36 this menopause signs are terrible the real concern is my low white blood count.. already i got severe viral infection thrice in this two years and TLC was 1.3.. i don't konw how to deal with this.. Doctor kindly help.. i have no faith in my Doctor.. she is least bothered about my side effects..she ignores it saying it is not due to the drug.. i follow my own diet meditation pranayama music exercise.. i believe im myself..

[@yerbba]

This sounds rough. You're benefitting from treatment yet experiencing a lot of side effects. Some oncologists will give their patients a "holiday" from treatment for a couple of months. This might be worth talking about with your medical team.

[@sabithats6835]

@yerbba thank you so much doctor for your kind response

[@susanrusso5551]

I start in the morning and so scared of side effects but this video really put me @ ease She laid everything out systematically encouraged possibilities and alternatives grateful for the presentation 🫶

[@yerbba]

We're so glad to hear this video helped put you at ease. Starting a new treatment can feel overwhelming, especially with concerns about side effects. Knowing your options and having everything laid out clearly can definitely help ease those fears. Wishing you all the best as you start your treatment.