Which generation of targeted drugs does osimertinib/osimertinib belong to?

Osimertinib, also known as AZD9291, is a targeted drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It belongs to the third generation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and has higher selectivity and stronger inhibitory effect than traditional first-generation drugs (such as gemcitabine and icotinib) and second-generation drugs (such as afatinib).

The first generationEGFRinhibitors are drugs that were put into use earlier. They block the transmission of cancer cell growth signals by inhibiting the activity ofEGFRtyrosine kinase. However, after long-term use, tumors may develop drug resistance, limiting their clinical application.

Second-generation drugs attempt to solve the resistance problem of first-generation drugs, but they still cannot completely overcome it. The third-generation EGFR inhibitors, such as osimertinib/osimertinib, are a new generation of drugs that combat drug resistance caused by EGFR mutations. In contrast, it not only has higher selectivity and more effective inhibition of mutated EGFR, but also can overcome some common EGFR T790M resistance mutations.

Osimertinib/Osimertinibis unique in its highly selective inhibition of the EGFR T790M mutation, which is lacking in other first- and second-generation drugs. This mutation is one of the common mechanisms leading to drug resistance in NSCLC. Therefore, Osimertinib/Osimertinib has shown high efficacy in the treatment of NSCLC patients and is often used to treat those with advanced NSCLC patients who have the EGFR T790M mutation.

AlthoughosimertinibThe emergence of /osimertinib has brought new hope in NSCLC treatment, but drug resistance remains a challenge. Therefore, researchers are working to develop more selective and effective treatments to further improve the prognosis and survival of NSCLC patients.