are expected to be diagnosed with AML in 2026, and more than half may not be able to receive intensive induction chemotherapy because of age or other health issues.The two medicines in Inqovi work together to destroy cancer cells.Decitabine is a type of chemotherapy that helps your bone marrow make normal blood cells while also helping to kill abnormal blood cells.
Cedazuridine keeps the levels of decitabine in your body higher for longer by blocking the enzyme that breaks it down.
This combination of oral medications aims to match the exposure seen with intravenous (IV) decitabine.
When used for AML, it is combined with another medicine, venetoclax, which blocks BCL-2, a protein that helps cancer cells survive. Venetoclax helps to restore the normal cell death process (apoptosis), causing cancer cells to self-destruct. Inqovi plus venetoclax is now the only fully oral combination approved for this group of patients. This may allow you to begin treatment at home instead of starting with a hospital‑based intensive regimen.
Why Was It Approved?
The FDA’s decision was based on data from a clinical trial where Inqovi combined with venetoclax resulted in remission in many patients. The effectiveness of Inqovi tablets combined with venetoclax was evaluated in a study involving 101 adults with newly diagnosed AML who were at least 75 years old or not eligible for intensive chemotherapy due to other health conditions. Among them, 42% achieved complete remission (CR), with an average time to response of two months. The median duration of CR was not reached, meaning many patients were still benefiting from treatment after an average of 9 months of follow-up.
What Do I Need to Know?
You will take one Inqovi tablet by mouth once daily on days 1 through 5 of each 28‑day cycle. Take Inqovi on an empty stomach at least two hours before or two hours after eating. Venetoclax is taken once daily with a meal on every day of the 28-day cycle. Separate Inqovi and venetoclax doses by at least two hours. You will continue your treatment cycles until your disease worsens or side effects warrant a change. Your health care provider will check complete blood counts before you start treatment, before each new cycle, and as needed. They may use growth factors and anti‑infective medicines to treat or help prevent infections. Your next cycle may be delayed or restarted at the same dose or a lower dose based on your blood counts and how you are doing.
