ALIMTA (pemetrexed disodium) – a folate analog metabolic inhibitor commonly used to treat certain types of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Alimta exerts its action by disrupting folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for cell replication. FDA approved uses: Alimta is indicated for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer -Initial treatment in combination with cisplatin; […]
HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) – an HER2/neu receptor antagonist commonly used to treat certain cancers. The HER2 (or c-erbB2) proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor protein of 185 kDa, which is structurally related to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Herceptin has been shown, in both in vitro assays and in animals, to inhibit the proliferation of human tumor […]
GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate) – a kinase inhibitor drug commonly used to treat certain types of leukemia, myeloproliferative diseases, and certain other malignancies. FDA approved uses: Gleevec is indicated for: Newly diagnosed adult and pediatric patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase; Patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia […]
AVASTIN (bevacizumab) – a vascular endothelial growth factor-specific angiogenesis inhibitor commonly used to treat certain cancers. Bevacizumab binds VEGF and prevents the interaction of VEGF to its receptors (Flt-1 and KDR) on the surface of endothelial cells. The interaction of VEGF with its receptors leads to endothelial cell proliferation and new blood vessel formation in […]