gefitinib + hydroxychloroquine

Gefitinib + hydroxychloroquine is a combination of two small molecule drugs, each with distinct mechanisms of action. Gefitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor primarily used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific EGFR mutations. It works by inhibiting the intracellular phosphorylation of EGFR, thereby blocking downstream signaling pathways that promote malignant cell proliferation and survival[3]. Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial and immunomodulatory agent that accumulates in lysosomes, raising their pH and interfering with processes such as autophagy and hemoglobin degradation in parasites[8]. In oncology research, hydroxychloroquine acts as an autophagy inhibitor. Preclinical studies have shown that combining gefitinib with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine can enhance apoptosis and cytotoxicity in certain cancer cells by synergistically inhibiting tumor growth through both EGFR blockade and autophagy inhibition[2][4].

Other names

ZD1839ZD-1839ZD 1839HCQ