Tyrosine kinase inhibitorFDA-approvedSecond-line
Erlotinib
How it works
Blocks the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing.
Cancer types
Lung Cancer— EGFR-mutated
Efficacy
Studies show that erlotinib can improve response rates in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, with an objective response rate of approximately 70%.
Side effects
Moderate
Side effects can be significant and may require dose adjustments or supportive medication, but the treatment is usually continued.
Evidence from research
| Study | Cancer type | Stage | Efficacy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Injectable Formulation for Lung Cancer Treatment | Lung Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| New Biomarker Identified for Lung Cancer Treatment Response | Lung Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Gemcitabine, Dasatinib, and Erlotinib in Treating Advanced Pancreatic Cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | observational | The median overall survival was 35.6 months, resulting in 77.8% at a 2-year survival rate. | Source → |
| New Study Compares Cancer Treatments for Lung Cancer Patients | Lung Cancer | meta-analysis | Osimertinib resulted in significantly longer overall survival compared to erlotinib-based regimens (HR for OS vs. erlotinib: 1.59, 95% CI 1.09-2.31). | Source → |
| Combining Gemcitabine and Erlotinib May Improve Pancreatic Cancer Treatment | Pancreatic Cancer | meta-analysis | Gem-Erlo significantly improved disease control rate (DCR) [odds ratio (OR) =1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 to 2.92; P=0.04]. | Source → |
| Combining Cancer Drugs May Help Treat Lung Cancer | Lung Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Erlotinib Resistance in Lung Cancer: New Insights | Lung Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Zebrafish Study Identifies Erlotinib as Potential Wnt Inhibitor for Leukemia | Leukemia | lab-study | Erlotinib treatment reduced self-renewal in human T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia cells. | Source → |
This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.