temozolomide + erlotinib

A combination of the alkylating agent temozolomide and the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib investigated primarily in malignant gliomas and other solid tumors. Temozolomide causes DNA damage via methylation at the O6 position of guanine leading to tumor cell death, while erlotinib inhibits EGFR signaling to reduce proliferation and survival; the rationale is potential synergy by impairing DNA repair and growth signaling pathways in tumors such as glioblastoma with EGFR pathway activation. Clinical studies include phase 1 and 2 trials showing tolerability, dosing guidance with or without enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs, and exploratory efficacy signals when added to radiotherapy and temozolomide in newly diagnosed GBM, as well as retrospective use in lung cancer CNS metastases after radiotherapy[3][4][2][6].

Other names

temozolomide and erlotinib