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Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved; investigational |
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Description
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Erlotinib hydrochloride (trade name Tarceva, Genentech/OSIP, originally coded as OSI-774) is a drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and several other types of cancer.
Similar to gefitinib, erlotinib specifically targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. It binds in a reversible fashion to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site of the receptor. Erlotinib has recently been shown to be a potent inhibitor of JAK2V617F activity. JAK2V617F is a mutant of tyrosine kinase JAK2, is found in most patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and a substantial proportion of patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis or essential thrombocythemia. The study suggests that erlotinib may be used for treatment of JAK2V617F-positive PV and other myeloproliferative disorders. |
| Indication |
For the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Also for use, in combination with gemcitabine, as the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer. |
| Pharmacology |
Erlotinib is a Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Type 1/Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (HER1/EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. |
| Toxicity |
Symptoms of overdose include diarrhea, rash, and liver transaminase elevation. |
| Affected Organisms |
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Humans and other mammals |
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| Biotransformation |
In vitro assays of cytochrome P450 metabolism showed that erlotinib is metabolized primarily by CYP3A4 and to a lesser extent by CYP1A2, and the extrahepatic isoform CYP1A1. |
| Absorption |
Erlotinib is about 60% absorbed after oral administration and its bioavailability is substantially increased by food to almost 100%. |
| Half Life |
Median half-life of 36.2 hours. |
| Protein Binding |
93% protein bound to albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AAG) |
| References |
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Raymond E, Faivre S, Armand JP: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase as a target for anticancer therapy. Drugs. 2000;60 Suppl 1:15-23; discussion 41-2.
[Pubmed]
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Li Z, Xu M, Xing S, Ho WT, Ishii T, Li Q, Fu X, Zhao ZJ: Erlotinib effectively inhibits JAK2V617F activity and polycythemia vera cell growth. J Biol Chem. 2007 Feb 9;282(6):3428-32. Epub 2006 Dec 18.
[Pubmed]
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Dudek AZ, Kmak KL, Koopmeiners J, Keshtgarpour M: Skin rash and bronchoalveolar histology correlates with clinical benefit in patients treated with gefitinib as a therapy for previously treated advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer. 2006 Jan;51(1):89-96. Epub 2005 Nov 14.
[Pubmed]
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Jones HE, Goddard L, Gee JM, Hiscox S, Rubini M, Barrow D, Knowlden JM, Williams S, Wakeling AE, Nicholson RI: Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor signalling and acquired resistance to gefitinib (ZD1839; Iressa) in human breast and prostate cancer cells. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2004 Dec;11(4):793-814.
[Pubmed]
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Blum G, Gazit A, Levitzki A: Substrate competitive inhibitors of IGF-1 receptor kinase. Biochemistry. 2000 Dec 26;39(51):15705-12.
[Pubmed]
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