How Erlotinib works

Erlotinib (Erlotinib) is an oral anticancer drug mainly used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially those who carry sensitive mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Its main function is to slow down or inhibit the development of tumors by inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells.

The mechanism of action of erlotinib is as follows:

1.EGFRinhibition: Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the activation of EGFR. EGFR is a protein located on the cell membrane and is involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation and survival. In some non-small cell lung cancers, mutations in EGFR can lead to its continued activation, thereby promoting abnormal proliferation of cancer cells. Erlotinib slows the growth of cancer cells by blocking this signaling pathway.

2.Tumor cell apoptosis: Erlotinib may inhibit tumor growth by promoting apoptosis (a type of programmed death) in tumor cells. It may affect cell survival and death signals by regulating multiple signaling pathways.

3.Anti-angiogenesis: Erlotinib may inhibit the formation of new blood vessels around tumors (angiogenesis is one of the processes necessary for tumor growth), thereby reducing the blood supply to the tumor and limiting its growth and spread.

Erlotinib’s mechanism of action makes it an important drug of choice for the treatment of patients with certainEGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. However, it is important to note that disease status, genetic mutations, and treatment responses may vary between patients. Therefore, before using drugs, doctors will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the patient's specific situation, especially the genetic test results.

Erlotinib has been launched in China and has been included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically. The domestic price ranges from about 700 to 1000. The specification is 150mg*7tablets. Due to different medical insurance policies in different places, the price is also different. For details, please consult the local pharmacy or medical insurance bureau. Erlotinib abroad is mainly an Indian generic drug, with a price of about 900 yuan. The specifications are divided into 100mg*30 tablets and 150mg*30 tablets, which are about four times the domestic specifications, but the price is similar to that in China.