What kind of drug is lapatinib/telisa and what is it used for?

1. Mechanism of action of lapatinib

Lapatinib targets the HER2 receptor and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and inhibits their tyrosine kinase activity, thereby preventing the proliferation of tumor cells. In this way, lapatinib can significantly inhibit the growth of HER2-positive breast cancer cells, providing an effective alternative treatment option, especially in patients who are resistant to other treatments (such as trastuzumab).

2. Indications of lapatinib

1) HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer:

Lapatinib is most commonly used to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, especially in patients who are resistant to trastuzumab therapy. Typically, lapatinib is used in combination with capecitabine as a second-line treatment option. This combination therapy can significantly improve the treatment effect and prolong the patient's survival.

2) Hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer:

For some patients with metastatic breast cancer who are both HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive, lapatinib can be used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (such as letrozole) to treat such patients more effectively. This combination therapy is common in postmenopausal women.

The use of lapatinib is not limited to the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, but has also shown certain efficacy in some other types of cancer. Although lapatinib's efficacy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer has been widely demonstrated, its use in other tumor types is still in the clinical investigation stage.

Keyword tags:

Lapatinib,HER2-positive breast cancer, kinase inhibitor, capecitabine, aromatase inhibitor, indications, clinical application

Reference materials:https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607055.html