The Effects of Gefitinib in EGFR Mutation Breast CancerPosted by Asuka on June 29th, 2019 Nearly 1 in 5 cases of breast cancer, high levels of a protein known as epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR has been observed. This protein can cause the cancer cells to grow at a faster rate. This results in a shorter survival period for patients of breast cancer and also build up resistance to hormonal therapy. As such an EGFR targeted therapy drug such as Iressa / gefitinib may provide successful results in treating certain kinds of breast cancer. Generic: Gefitinib Brand: Iressa by AstraZeneca Gefitinib tablet generally comes in the dosage of 250 mg. Gefitinib / Iressa medication cost information Researchers have explored this treatment concept that iressa / gefitinib in combination with fulvestrant (an estrogen receptor antagonist) can have a positive impact on the hormonal therapy’s anti-tumour effect. This combination of iressa / gefitinib with fulvestrant was used for treating different breast cancer types: Postmenopausal breast cancer Although menopause itself is not a risk factor for breast cancer. Breast cancer is more common at old ages. In a few cases, the medication that are used to manage symptoms of menopause can increase the chances of breast cancer. Postmenopausal breast cancer with inflammatory skin metastasis with increased levels of HER2/neu gene amplification HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein that enables cell growth in some breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer types that have increased amounts of HER2 protein are considered to be HER2 positive. HER2 protein positive cancer cells can be treated with certain targeted therapy medications. ER-positive hormone refractory breast cancer The status of hormone receptor indicates whether a type of breast cancer requires hormones for its growth. The breast cancer cells would require hormones to grow if they are hormone receptor positive. Alternatively, hormone receptor negative means that the cancer cells do not need hormones to grow. Estrogen-positive breast cancer Some types of breast cancers are dependent on estrogen to grow and spread. If the status of the breast cancer is estrogen receptor positive, it needs estrogen to grow. If the status of the breast cancer is estrogen receptor negative, it does not need estrogen to grow. Results It was observed that the use of iressa / gefitinib enhanced the cytotoxic effects of fulvestrant by the way of blocking the cell cycle transition to DNA synthesis and increasing apoptosis. In patients with hormone-resistant HER-2 positive breast cancers, iressa / gefitinib may also restore the sensitivity to tamoxifen. Iressa / gefitinib has also been observed to increase apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS. It has been proven effective with ER positive and negative DCIS. Currently, the impact of iressa / gefitinib on recurrent breast cancer is still under research. The objective of future studies on this medication is to determine its potential impact on treating breast cancer. Gefitinib / Iressa medication cost information The information provided on the page is meant for the purpose of being helpful and educational. It should not be considered as medical advice. Like it? Share it! More by this author |