title: ZD1839 ('Iressa') as an anticancer agent.
abstract: ZD1839 ('Iressa') is an orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor which blocks signal transduction pathways implicated in the proliferation and survival of cancer cells and other host-dependent processes promoting cancer growth. In preclinical studies, ZD1839 produced reversible growth inhibition and growth delay in a wide range of tumour cell lines and human tumour xenografts. Moreover, this activity was enhanced when ZD1839 was coadministered with cytotoxic agents. Preliminary results from phase I trials in patients with advanced disease and a wide variety of tumour types suggest that ZD1839 has an acceptable tolerability profile and promising clinical efficacy, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ZD1839 is currently in phase III clinical development for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. In addition, further trials are ongoing or planned in a number of other tumour types.
authors: Medical Oncology Service, Vail d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Baselga
authors: S D
authors: SD
authors: Averbuch
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077156:Gefitinib