What is another name for Gefitinib?
Gefitinib, sold under the brand name Iressa, is a medication used for certain breast, lung and other cancers. Gefitinib is an EGFR inhibitor, like erlotinib, which interrupts signaling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in target cells.
Is Gefitinib a targeted therapy?
Gefitinib (Iressa®) is a targeted therapy drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is best to read this information with our general information about targeted therapies and the type of cancer you have. Gefitinib belongs to a group of targeted therapy drugs known as cancer growth inhibitors.
Does gefitinib cause hair loss?
During prolonged treatment with EGFR inhibitors, changes of the hair can be noticed. This report describes a case of hair alterations following treatment with gefitinib. Clinicians need to be aware of these new agents and their cutaneous side-effects.
When do I take gefitinib 250 mg?
Geftinat 250mg Tablet helps treat non-small cell lung cancer that is locally advanced, or has spread to other areas of the body. Take it with or without food, preferably at the same time each day. Do not take antacids (to reduce the acid level of your stomach) 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking this medicine.
Is gefitinib still used?
Under accelerated approvals, however, companies must conduct additional trials to confirm initial indications of patient benefit. In 2011, after several trials failed to show that gefitinib improved outcomes for patients with lung cancer, AstraZeneca, the drug’s manufacturer, withdrew the drug in the United States.
Which side effect may be seen in a patient who is taking gefitinib?
The most common adverse effects are rash, diarrhoea, acne, dry skin, nausea and vomiting. Most of the effects are mild-to-moderate in nature and do not require discontinuation of therapy. The severity of many of these effects is dose-related with grade 3-4 effects more likely at a dose > 250 mg/day.
What kind of cancer is gefitinib used for?
Use in Cancer. Gefitinib is approved to treat: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body). It is used as first-line treatment in patients whose tumors have certain epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations. Gefitinib is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
What is the mechanism of action of Gefitinib?
8.8 Mechanism of Action. Gefitinib is an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase that binds to the adenosine triphosphate ( ATP )-binding site of the enzyme. EGFR is often shown to be overexpressed in certain human carcinoma cells, such as lung and breast cancer cells.
What is the generic name for gefitinib?
For the genus of moth, see Iressa (moth). Gefitinib, sold under the brand name Iressa, is a medication used for certain breast, lung and other cancers. Gefitinib is an EGFR inhibitor, like erlotinib, which interrupts signaling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in target cells.
What is the difference between erlotinib and gefitinib?
Gefitinib is an EGFR inhibitor, like erlotinib, which interrupts signaling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in target cells. Therefore, it is only effective in cancers with mutated and overactive EGFR, but resistances to gefitinib can arise through other mutations.