Can lung cancer be cured by taking Crizotinib?

Crizotinib (Crizotinib) is an effective targeted therapy for the treatment of a specific type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), namely tyrosine kinase fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (ALKpositiveNSCLC) and ROS1fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (ROS1positiveNSCLC). These gene fusions lead to abnormal protein expression, driving the growth and spread of cancer cells.

For those patients with ALKpositive or ROS1positive lung cancer who respond well to crizotinib, the drug may significantly extend patient survival and significantly improve quality of life. Some patients experienced tumor shrinkage or stabilization after receiving crizotinib treatment, and even achieved partial or complete remission. This can be very beneficial for some patients and may allow their cancer to progress more slowly and improve their quality of life.

However, it is important to emphasize that crizotinib is not a cure for lung cancer. There is currently no drug or treatment that can cure all types of lung cancer 100% of the time. Lung cancer is a complex and changeable disease, and its treatment involves a variety of methods, including surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

For the vast majority of patients with lung cancer, the goals of treatment are to control the progression of the disease, reduce symptoms, prolong survival, and improve the patient's quality of life. In some cases, treatment may cause the tumor to shrink or stabilize, but it does not completely eradicate the cancer cells.

Crizotinib is currently on the market in China and is included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically, and the price is around 6,000~12,000 yuan. Since the price of medical insurance policies varies greatly across regions, please consult your local pharmacy or medical insurance bureau for specific prices. There are original and generic versions of crizotinib available abroad. The original version is mainly Pfizer’s original drug, and the price is around 11,000 yuan. Generic drugs are mainly from Bangladesh and Laos. Due to different pharmaceutical manufacturers and drug specifications, generic drugs cost around 2,700~3,000 yuan. Moreover, the ingredients of foreign original drugs and generic drugs are basically the same as those of domestic drugs.