erlotinib

Erlotinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. By reversibly binding to the ATP-binding site of EGFR, erlotinib blocks downstream signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. This inhibition slows or stops the growth of cancer cells with abnormal EGFR activity. Erlotinib is primarily used for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations), and in combination with gemcitabine for advanced pancreatic cancer that cannot be surgically removed. It was first approved by regulatory agencies in 2004 and is marketed under the brand name Tarceva[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Brand names

Tarceva

Other names

erlotinib hydrochloride