Is lenvatinib/lenvatinib (Lenvima) a targeted drug or a chemotherapy drug?

Lenvatinib/Lenvatinib (Lenvatinib), as a small molecule targeted drug, is widely used in the treatment of various cancers. It is classified as a targeted anti-cancer drug, which mainly blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells by inhibiting the activity of multiple kinases. These kinases are involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and the formation of the tumor microenvironment. Lenvatinib provides a new treatment option for cancer treatment by targeting these key molecular pathways to interfere with the growth and blood supply of tumor cells.

As a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), lenvatinib has multiple targets. Its main mechanism of action is to inhibit multiple important receptor tyrosine kinases, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), etc. Inhibition of these receptors can effectively prevent the angiogenesis process of tumors, preventing tumors from obtaining sufficient oxygen and nutrients, thereby limiting their growth and metastasis. Especially in the treatment of various cancer types such as renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and thyroid cancer, lenvatinib has shown significant efficacy.

The targeting effect of lenvatinib allows it to act on tumor cells and their microenvironment more accurately than traditional chemotherapy drugs, reducing damage to normal cells, thereby reducing the occurrence of side effects. This is also an important advantage of targeted drugs compared with chemotherapy drugs. By targeting kinases such as VEGFR and FGFR, lenvatinib can not only inhibit the growth of tumor cells, but also reduce tumor angiogenesis, thereby preventing tumor metastasis and spread.

Due to the high selectivity of targeted drugs, lenvatinib is approved in many countries and regions for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), thyroid cancer and renal cell carcinoma. In the treatment of these cancers, lenvatinib is usually used as a first- or second-line treatment drug and can be used in combination with other drugs to significantly improve the therapeutic effect.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09078