Is Axitinib a targeted drug or a chemotherapy drug?

Axitinib (Axitinib) belongs to the category of targeted therapy drugs, rather than traditional chemotherapy drugs. Targeted therapy is a relatively new cancer treatment method that targets cancer cells or their surrounding microenvironment by interfering with specific molecular pathways and targets, thereby inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Axitinib mainly works by inhibiting the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). VEGFR is a receptor closely related to angiogenesis and new blood vessel formation and is overexpressed in many tumors. By inhibiting VEGFR, axitinib blocks the tumor's dependence on the blood supply, slowing the tumor's growth and reducing its risk of spreading.

Compared with traditional chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapy drugs are more selective and mainly work on cancer cells or their surrounding microenvironment, thereby reducing damage to healthy tissues. This targeted effect enables targeted therapy to achieve significant efficacy in the treatment of certain types of cancer, especially in tumors that are highly dependent on angiogenesis, such as renal cell carcinoma.

Axitinib has been launched in China and has been included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically. The price of 5mg*28 tablets is about 5,000 to 6,000 yuan. For specific prices, please consult the local hospital pharmacy. There are original and generic axitinib drugs abroad. The original drug is Pfizer's original drug, and the price is about 6,000 yuan; the generic drugs are mainly Bangladeshi generics and Indian generics. The price of Bangladeshi generics in 5mg*60 tablets is more than 1,000 yuan, and the price of Indian generics is around a few hundred yuan. The ingredients of original drugs and generic drugs are basically the same.