What is Olaratumab: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Olaratumab is a specialized cancer medication that helps your immune system fight certain types of soft tissue sarcoma. This intravenous treatment works by blocking specific proteins that cancer cells need to grow and spread throughout your body.

If you or someone you care about has been prescribed olaratumab, you likely have many questions about how it works and what to expect. This medication represents an important treatment option for people facing soft tissue sarcoma, and understanding how it fits into your care plan can help you feel more prepared and confident moving forward.

What is Olaratumab?

Olaratumab is a targeted therapy medication that belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Think of it as a specially designed protein that seeks out and attaches to specific targets on cancer cells, helping to slow their growth.

This medication is given through an IV infusion, which means it's delivered directly into your bloodstream through a vein. The drug was specifically developed to treat soft tissue sarcoma, a type of cancer that develops in the body's connective tissues like muscles, tendons, and fat.

Olaratumab works differently from traditional chemotherapy because it targets specific pathways that cancer cells use to survive and multiply. This targeted approach can be gentler on healthy cells while still effectively fighting the cancer.

What is Olaratumab Used For?

Olaratumab is primarily used to treat soft tissue sarcoma that cannot be removed with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. Your doctor will typically combine this medication with another drug called doxorubicin to create a more effective treatment plan.

Soft tissue sarcomas are relatively rare cancers that can develop in various parts of your body, including your arms, legs, chest, or abdomen. These tumors can be challenging to treat because they often grow in areas where complete surgical removal isn't possible.

Your oncologist might recommend olaratumab if your sarcoma is advanced or if it has returned after previous treatments. The medication is specifically designed for people who haven't received chemotherapy for their advanced soft tissue sarcoma before.

How Does Olaratumab Work?

Olaratumab works by blocking a protein called PDGFR-alpha (platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha) that cancer cells use to grow and create new blood vessels. When this protein is blocked, cancer cells struggle to get the nutrients and signals they need to survive and multiply.

This medication is considered a moderately strong cancer treatment that works more precisely than traditional chemotherapy. Instead of affecting all rapidly dividing cells in your body, olaratumab specifically targets the pathways that soft tissue sarcoma cells depend on.

The drug also helps prevent the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors, a process called angiogenesis. By cutting off this blood supply, olaratumab can help slow tumor growth and make other treatments more effective.

How Should I Take Olaratumab?

Olaratumab is given as an intravenous infusion in a hospital or cancer treatment center under medical supervision. You cannot take this medication at home, as it requires careful monitoring and specialized equipment for proper administration.

Before your infusion, your healthcare team will likely give you medications to prevent allergic reactions and reduce side effects. You don't need to fast before treatment, but eating a light meal beforehand can help you feel more comfortable during the infusion.

The infusion typically takes about 60 minutes for the first dose and may be shortened to 30 minutes for subsequent doses if you tolerate it well. Your medical team will monitor your vital signs and watch for any reactions throughout the treatment.

You'll receive olaratumab on specific days as part of your treatment cycle, usually every 21 days. Your doctor will determine the exact schedule based on your individual situation and how well you're responding to treatment.

How Long Should I Take Olaratumab For?

The duration of olaratumab treatment varies significantly from person to person and depends on how your cancer responds to the medication. Your oncologist will regularly monitor your condition through scans and blood tests to determine how long you should continue treatment.

Most people receive olaratumab for several months, but some may need treatment for a year or longer. Your doctor will continue the medication as long as your cancer remains stable or continues to shrink, and as long as you're tolerating the side effects well.

If your cancer stops responding to olaratumab or if you experience severe side effects, your doctor will discuss alternative treatment options with you. The goal is always to find the right balance between fighting your cancer and maintaining your quality of life.

What Are the Side Effects of Olaratumab?

Like all cancer medications, olaratumab can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Most side effects are manageable with proper medical care and support from your healthcare team.

The most common side effects you might experience include fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, and diarrhea. These effects are usually mild to moderate and often improve as your body adjusts to the treatment.

Here are the more frequently reported side effects that patients experience:

• Fatigue and weakness that may affect daily activities
• Nausea and vomiting, especially in the first few days after treatment
• Decreased appetite and changes in taste
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Hair thinning or changes in hair texture
• Muscle and joint pain
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping

Your healthcare team will provide you with medications and strategies to help manage these side effects and maintain your comfort throughout treatment.

Some people may experience more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. While these are less common, it's important to be aware of them and contact your doctor right away if they occur.

Here are the more serious side effects that require prompt medical care:

• Severe allergic reactions during or after infusion
• Heart problems, including decreased heart function
• Severe diarrhea that doesn't respond to treatment
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, or persistent cough
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Severe shortness of breath or chest pain
• Significant swelling in your hands, feet, or face

These serious side effects are uncommon, but your medical team will monitor you closely during treatment to catch any problems early and address them promptly.

Who Should Not Take Olaratumab?

Olaratumab isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully review your medical history before recommending this treatment. People with certain heart conditions or severe liver problems may not be good candidates for this medication.

Your oncologist will need to know about any heart problems you've had, including heart failure, heart attacks, or abnormal heart rhythms. Since olaratumab can affect heart function, people with existing heart conditions may need additional monitoring or alternative treatments.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, olaratumab isn't recommended because it could harm your baby. Women of childbearing age should use effective birth control during treatment and for several months after the last dose.

People with active, serious infections should wait until the infection is controlled before starting olaratumab. Your immune system may be somewhat weakened during treatment, making it harder to fight off infections.

Olaratumab Brand Name

Olaratumab is sold under the brand name Lartruvo. This is the only brand name currently available for this medication, and it's manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.

When you receive your treatment, you'll see "Lartruvo" on the medication labels and infusion bags. There are currently no generic versions of olaratumab available, so all patients receive the same brand-name medication.

Your insurance coverage and treatment center will work with this specific brand name when coordinating your care and medication access.

Olaratumab Alternatives

If olaratumab isn't suitable for you or stops working effectively, several alternative treatments are available for soft tissue sarcoma. Your oncologist can discuss these options based on your specific type of sarcoma and overall health.

Traditional chemotherapy medications like doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and trabectedin remain important treatment options for many people with soft tissue sarcoma. These drugs work differently from olaratumab but can be equally effective in the right situations.

Other targeted therapies, including pazopanib and regorafenib, might be options depending on your sarcoma type. These medications also target specific pathways that cancer cells use to grow, but they're taken as pills rather than IV infusions.

Immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab are being studied for certain types of sarcoma and may be available through clinical trials. Your doctor can help you explore whether any ongoing research studies might be appropriate for your situation.

Is Olaratumab Better Than Doxorubicin?

Olaratumab and doxorubicin work best when used together rather than as competing treatments. Studies have shown that combining these medications can be more effective than using doxorubicin alone for treating soft tissue sarcoma.

Doxorubicin is a traditional chemotherapy drug that has been used for decades to treat various cancers, including sarcomas. While effective, it can cause significant side effects, particularly to the heart, and has dose limitations.

Olaratumab adds a targeted approach to doxorubicin's broad cancer-fighting effects. The combination allows doctors to attack cancer cells through multiple pathways simultaneously, potentially improving outcomes while managing side effects.

Your oncologist will consider your specific situation, including your overall health, heart function, and previous treatments, when deciding whether the combination therapy is right for you.