Nintedanib (Vargatef®) is used to treat a type of non-small cell lung cancer called adenocarcinoma that has spread, or come back, after chemotherapy. It is given with a chemotherapy drug called docetaxel.
Nintedanib may sometimes be used to treat other cancers. It is best to read this information with our general information about targeted therapies and the type of cancer you have.
Nintedanib is a type of drug called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), also known as a cancer growth inhibitor. Kinases are proteins in the body that control how the cells grow and divide.
Nintedanib blocks the proteins (kinases) from sending signals to the cancer cells to grow. Blocking the signals causes the cells to die. Nintedanib blocks different types of proteins and is called a multi-kinase inhibitor.
It also stops the cancer cells from developing new blood vessels. This reduces their supply of oxygen and nutrients, so that the tumour shrinks or stops growing.
Your doctor will talk to you about this treatment and its possible side effects before you agree (consent) to have treatment.