Which generation of targeted drug is Crizotinib?

Crizotinib (Crizotinib) is the first-generation targeted drug. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 as a treatment for patients with ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) fusion gene targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a first-generation targeted drug, crizotinib marks an important advance in personalized treatment strategies in the field of cancer treatment.

When first-generation targeted drugs, such as crizotinib, were introduced into cancer treatment, they often represented an entirely new treatment strategy designed to directly target specific molecular abnormalities or fusion protein kinases, thereby interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells. This personalized treatment approach brings hope to many patients, especially those whose tumors cannot be effectively controlled by traditional chemotherapy.

However, despite the great progress made by the first generation of targeted drugs, over time, some patients may develop drug resistance or drug failure caused by tumor mutations. In order to deal with these problems, scientists continue to conduct research and promote the development of second-generation, third-generation and even higher-level targeted drugs.

The second generation of targeted drugs is usually improved on the first generation to improve the efficacy of the drug through stronger selectivity and affinity. The third generation of targeted drugs is more targeted at specific resistance mechanisms to overcome resistance problems that may arise during treatment. These next-generation targeted drugs are developed with the goal of providing longer-lasting efficacy, better control of tumor progression, and fewer side effects.

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.