Rociletinib is a prescription medicine used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body and is caused by a certain type of abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Rociletinib is a type of targeted therapy called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It works by blocking certain proteins in cancer cells that help them to grow and spread. Rociletinib is given as a pill taken orally once a day.
Rociletinib: A Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer (Previously Investigated)
Rociletinib was a medication under development for the treatment of a specific type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It belonged to a class of drugs called third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
Here's a breakdown of key points about Rociletinib:
- Targeted Therapy: Rociletinib wasn't intended for general lung cancer treatment. It specifically targeted NSCLC with a particular mutation in the EGFR gene called T790M.
- Mechanism of Action: EGFR mutations can drive lung cancer growth. Rociletinib aimed to block the activity of the mutated EGFR protein, hindering cancer cell proliferation.
- Development Status: Importantly, development of Rociletinib was halted in May 2016. This means it is not currently undergoing clinical trials or available as a treatment.
Here's some additional information to consider:
- Pre-Clinical Promise: Early research showed promise for Rociletinib's effectiveness against T790M-positive NSCLC.
- Reason for Halt: The exact reasons for development being stopped are not publicly available.
- Alternative Treatments: Other EGFR TKIs are approved for NSCLC treatment, and some may be effective against T790M mutations.