Gefitinib
Brand Names
Iressa ® (There may be other brand names for this medication)
How is It Administered?
Your medicine will be given orally (by mouth)
What Is This Drug Used For?
Gefitinib is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
How Does Gefitinib Work?
Gefitinib is a type of targeted therapy rather than a traditional chemotherapy drug. Traditional chemotherapy drugs identify cancer cells by their rapid rate of reproduction, and then attack those cells. Unfortunately, there are many cells in our bodies that normally reproduce rapidly and these cells are also affected by those chemotherapy drugs, resulting in many unpleasant side effects.
Gefitinib locates a protein (EGFR Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) on the surface of the cancer cells and interferes with cell reproduction.
