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Frequently asked questions about breast cancer and KISQALI
Answers to some of the most common questions about early breast cancer and KISQALI
Click below for answers to some of the most common questions about breast cancer and KISQALI.
Questions and answers about early breast cancer (eBC)
HR+, HER2- is a subtype of early breast cancer that is found only in the breast, or nearby lymph nodes. It also means it has not spread to other parts of the body.
Stage 2: The tumor is a little larger and/or has spread to more lymph nodes than in stage 1 cancer.
Stage 3: The tumor may be larger, may have started growing into nearby tissue, or may have spread to many nearby lymph nodes. Stage 3 is also called locally advanced breast cancer.
Just like everyone’s breast cancer journey is different, so is their risk of recurrence. Your doctor can determine if you’re at high risk based on several factors. These 5 factors help determine your risk:
1. Stage: describes how much cancer is in your body
2. Tumor size
3. Grade: describes how similar cancer cells look to normal breast cells and helps identify how fast cancer cells are growing
4. Nodal status: describes the number of lymph nodes with cancer
5. Additional test results: tests may include Oncotype DX® MammaPrint®, Prosigna®, and EndoPredict®
This information is intended for reference only. Novartis does not endorse the use of any specific test or tool to help determine the risk of recurrence, and there may be additional tests or tools available. The brand names above are the property of their respective trademark owners.
Learn more about the risk of your cancer coming back
Questions and answers about KISQALI
KISQALI is a prescription medicine for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2- stage II or III) early breast cancer (eBC) with a high risk of coming back. KISQALI is taken with a specific kind of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor (AI).
KISQALI is a targeted therapy called a cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor. KISQALI is not chemotherapy.
KISQALI blocks, or interferes with, CDK4 and CDK6 proteins, which can cause cancer cells to grow and multiply.* KISQALI affects cancer cells, but can also affect healthy cells.
*For people who have stage 2 or stage 3 hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) eBC with a high risk of coming back, including people with and without cancer in their lymph nodes, and people who are pre- or postmenopausal.
KISQALI was studied in NATALEE, a global trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of KISQALI with an aromatase inhibitor versus an aromatase inhibitor alone. KISQALI was studied in the broadest range of patients with stage 2 and 3 HR+, HER2- early breast cancer with a high risk of coming back. The study included 5,101 adult patients.
In the clinical trial, KISQALI with an aromatase inhibitor was proven to help reduce the risk of recurrence more than an aromatase inhibitor alone. The benefit of KISQALI was shown to increase over time.
When the results were reviewed at 3 years, KISQALI with an aromatase inhibitor cut the risk of cancer coming back by 25% compared to an AI alone. 91% of people taking KISQALI + an aromatase inhibitor were cancer-free, compared with 88% of people taking an aromatase inhibitor alone, a difference of 3%.
When the results were reviewed at 5 years, KISQALI with an aromatase inhibitor cut the risk of cancer coming back by 28% compared to an AI alone. 86% of people taking KISQALI with an aromatase inhibitor were cancer-free, compared with 81% of people taking an AI alone, a difference of 5%.*
*Results from the 5-year analysis were not designed to detect a false positive or show a difference between treatments.
Click here to learn about KISQALI data studied beyond 3 years
The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), written by leading cancer experts, recommend ribociclib (KISQALI®) + an AI as an option for eligible patients with HR+, HER2- early breast cancer—to help prevent cancer from coming back.
KISQALI is approved for people with HR+, HER2- stage 2 or 3 early breast cancer with a high risk of coming back.
See the proven study results of ribociclib (KISQALI) + an aromatase inhibitor
The most common side effects of KISQALI are decreased white blood cell counts, increased liver function tests, decreased red blood cell counts, infections, increased kidney function test, decreased platelet counts, nausea, headache, and tiredness. KISQALI can also cause more serious side effects.
Your healthcare team may offer suggestions to help manage some of the side effects of KISQALI. It’s important to talk with your doctor or nurse about side effects you experience and the best ways to manage them.
KISQALI is a prescription medicine that is a convenient once-daily oral tablet that comes in an easy-to-use blister pack. Your doctor will prescribe the dose of KISQALI that's right for you. You should take KISQALI exactly as your health care provider tells you. Take KISQALI each day at about the same time, preferably in the morning. Do not change your dose or stop taking KISQALI unless your health care provider tells you. You may take KISQALI with or without food. Ask your doctor about the recommended dose of your aromatase inhibitor.
If you miss a dose of KISQALI or vomit after taking a dose of KISQALI, do not take another dose on that day. Take your next dose at your regular time.
Avoid eating grapefruit and avoid drinking grapefruit juice. Be sure to share a list of any medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking with your doctor. It's important to make sure all of your medications work safely together.
It depends on your insurance. Novartis patient support is here to support you and can help you navigate insurance. Eligible patients with private insurance may pay as little as $0 with Co-Pay Plus.
Learn more about how Novartis can help
Co-Pay Plus Terms & Conditions.
Offer valid only when used with commercial health insurance. Offer is not available where:
The patient has federal or state health plan benefits (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA)
The health plan reimburses for the entire cost of the drug
The health plan provides no coverage for the drug; or prohibited by law
The amount of funding available from the Program is subject to an annual limit. Novartis reserves the right to discontinue the availability of co-pay assistance if, at any time, Novartis determines that the patient is subject to a co-pay maximizer program. Co-pay maximizers are programs implemented by health plans in which the amount of the patient’s out-of-pocket cost is increased to reflect the availability of support offered by a manufacturer assistance program. The patient is responsible for all costs once available funding from the Program is exhausted.
The Program is designed exclusively for the benefit of the patient. The amount of available funding may be reduced or eliminated if it is not credited by the patient’s health plan toward the patient’s out-of-pocket obligations (e.g., deductibles, annual out-of-pocket maximums). Program funding may also be reduced or eliminated if the patient’s health plan, directly or indirectly, adjusts, reduces, or waives the patient’s health plan benefits based on the availability of, or the patient’s enrollment in, the Program, or otherwise acts in a manner that materially affects these Terms and Conditions.
Only the patient or their legal guardian or caregiver may enroll the patient in the Program. Health plans, specialty pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and their agents and representatives (individually and collectively “Plan Administrators”), are prohibited from enrolling patients in the Program.
Patients in the Program are responsible for notifying Novartis of any change in their prescription drug health plan coverage that may conflict or otherwise affect compliance with these Terms and Conditions. By accepting Program funding from Novartis on behalf of participating patients, Plan Administrators agree to not take any action that materially affects compliance with these Terms and Conditions.
Patients may not seek reimbursement for the value received from the Program from any other party (e.g., health plans, flexible spending, or healthcare savings accounts). Patients are responsible for complying with any applicable limitations and requirements of their health plan related to their use of the Program.
Valid only in the United States and Puerto Rico. For purchasers of FEMARA only, this is NOT valid for Massachusetts patients and is only valid for California patients that meet additional eligibility criteria.
The Program is not health insurance, and may not be combined with any third-party rebate, coupon, or offer. Novartis reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend the Program at any time without notice.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is committed to helping make treatment with KISQALI as affordable as possible.
Novartis Patient Support™ is a comprehensive program to help you start, stay, and save on your KISQALI treatment.
Get more of your questions answered
Download the appointment guide for tips on how to discuss early breast cancer and KISQALI at your next doctor's visit.