Better Known as: Tarceva

Mechanism of Action

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors are overexpressed in many types of human carcinomas including lung, pancreatic, and breast cancer, and are often mutated. This overexpression leads to excessive activation of the anti-apoptotic Ras signalling cascade, resulting in uncontrolled DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Studies have revealed that the is responsible for activating this Ras signaling cascade. Upon binding ligands like Epidermal Growth Factor, EGFR dimerizes and autophosphorylates several tyrosine residues at its C-terminal domain. Upon phosphorylation, EGFR undergoes a conformational change, revealing an additional binding site capable of eliciting downstream activation of other signaling proteins.[1][2] Erlotinib inhibits the EGFR tyrosine kinase by located within the kinase domain. EGFR uses residues Asp 831, Lys 721, Thr 766, Leu 820, Gly 772, Phe 771, Leu 694, Pro 770, Met 769, Leu 768, Gln 767 & Ala 719 to tightly bind the inhibitor. Unable to bind ATP, EGFR is incapable of autophosphorylating its C-terminal tyrosines, and the uncontrolled cell-proliferation signal is terminated.[3][4]

Pharmacokinetics

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Pharmacokinetics
VEGFR & KIT Inhibitors EGFR Inhibitors BCR-Abl Inhibitor
Parameter Sunitinib
(Sutent)
Sorafenib
(Nexavar)
Erlotinib
(Tarceva)
Gefitinib
(Iressa)
Lapatinib
(Tykerb)
Imatinib
(Gleevec)
Nilotinib
(Tasigna)
Dasatinib
(Sprycel)
Tmax (hr) 8 8.3 2.0 5.4 4 3.7 3.0 1.0
Cmax (ng/ml) 24.6 460 69.6 130 115 2070 411 124
Bioavailability (%) Variable 29-49 99 59 Variable 98 30 20
Protein Binding (%) 95 99 93 90 99 95 98 96
T1/2 (hr) 83 29 9.4 26.9 9.6 26.6 16.0 3.3
AUC (ng/ml/hr) 1921 11040 20577 3850 1429 4760 10052 461
Dosage (mg) 50 50 150 250 100 400 200 200
Metabolism Hepatic (CYP3A4) Hepatic (CYP3A4) Hepatic (CYP3A4) Hepatic (CYP3A4) Hepatic (CYP3A4) Hepatic (CYP3A4) Hepatic (CYP3A4) Hepatic (CYP3A4)

For Pharmacokinetic Data References, see: References

Erlotinib, also known as Tarceva

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References

  1. Downward J, Parker P, Waterfield MD. Autophosphorylation sites on the epidermal growth factor receptor. Nature. 1984 Oct 4-10;311(5985):483-5. PMID:6090945
  2. Oda K, Matsuoka Y, Funahashi A, Kitano H. A comprehensive pathway map of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. Mol Syst Biol. 2005;1:2005.0010. Epub 2005 May 25. PMID:16729045 doi:10.1038/msb4100014
  3. Sordella R, Bell DW, Haber DA, Settleman J. Gefitinib-sensitizing EGFR mutations in lung cancer activate anti-apoptotic pathways. Science. 2004 Aug 20;305(5687):1163-7. Epub 2004 Jul 29. PMID:15284455 doi:10.1126/science.1101637
  4. Raymond E, Faivre S, Armand JP. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase as a target for anticancer therapy. Drugs. 2000;60 Suppl 1:15-23; discussion 41-2. PMID:11129168

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