Is Palbociclib a targeted drug?

Palbociclib is a targeted anticancer drug. It is a treatment for breast cancer that has spread to parts of the body, including advanced or metastatic breast cancer, to the areas and structures around the breast, such as nearby lymph nodes, muscles, and skin, but not to other parts of the body (local progression). Doctors often give palbociclib in combination with hormone therapy.

Palbociclib Ingredientspalbociclib is a cancer growth blocker that targets the proteins cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6) on cancer cells. CDK 4 and CDK 6 are proteins that stimulate the growth and division of cancer cells. Palbociclib works by blocking these proteins, which is designed to slow or stop cancer growth. Palbociclib is often used for a type of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-negative (HER2 -) breast cancer. Doctors will recommend that patients need to test breast cancer cells before starting to use it to check whether it can be treated with palbociclib.

The original drug of palbociclib has been launched in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance, but reimbursement is limited to patients who meet the indications. The price of each box may be more than more than 4,000 yuan. The price of palbociclib's original drug, 125mg*21 capsules, per box sold overseas may be more than RMB 10,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). There are also generic palbociclib drugs produced in other countries. The price of 125mg*21 tablets produced by a Bangladeshi pharmaceutical factory may be around a few hundred yuan per box (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The price is cheaper. The pharmaceutical ingredients of generic drugs are basically the same as those of domestic and foreign original drugs.