Is crizotinib classified as a chemotherapy drug?

Crizotinib is not a chemotherapy drug, but a targeted therapy drug.

Chemotherapy drugs mainly kill or inhibit rapidly proliferating tumor cells by interfering with processes such as cell division and DNA replication. This type of drug usually has a killing effect on both tumor cells and normal cells, so the side effects are relatively large. Chemotherapy is one of the standard treatment options for many types of cancer, but it is often accompanied by a series of adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, etc.

Targeted drugs are more precise. They can attack the unique molecular targets of tumor cells, thereby reducing damage to normal cells. These targets are often proteins or genes necessary for tumor cell growth, proliferation, or survival. Due to the higher specificity of targeted drugs, the side effects are relatively small and the efficacy is more significant.

Crizotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that mainly acts on receptor tyrosine kinases such as ALK, ROS1 and Met. It blocks the signaling pathways of these receptors, thereby inhibiting the growth and proliferation of tumor cells.

Crizotinib is mainly used to treat ALK positive and ROS1 positive non-small cell lung cancer. These mutations are relatively rare in patients with lung cancer, but the emergence of crizotinib provides an effective treatment option for these patients.

Compared with chemotherapy drugs, crizotinib has relatively mild side effects. Common side effects include visual disturbances, digestive system reactions (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), and elevated liver enzymes. However, these side effects are usually reversible and can be relieved by dose adjustment or discontinuation of the drug.