erlotinib or gefitinib

\"erlotinib or gefitinib\" is not a single chemical entity or a fixed-dose combination; it is an alternative-treatment expression referring to either **erlotinib** or **gefitinib**. Both are first-generation, orally administered quinazoline small-molecule inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase. They reversibly compete with ATP at the EGFR kinase domain, suppressing EGFR autophosphorylation and downstream proliferative and survival signaling. Gefitinib is marketed as Iressa and was developed by AstraZeneca; erlotinib is marketed as Tarceva and was developed by OSI Pharmaceuticals. Both have approved EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer uses, while erlotinib also has an approved pancreatic cancer use with gemcitabine. ([accessdata.fda.gov](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/206995s003lbl.pdf))

Brand names

TarcevaIressa

Other names

erlotinibgefitinib