Is Lenvatinib a Chemo Drug?
No, Lenvatinib is not a chemotherapy drug. It is a targeted therapy drug, specifically a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). While chemotherapy works by indiscriminately killing rapidly dividing cells, including both cancer and normal cells, Lenvatinib targets specific proteins involved in tumor growth, specifically the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), and other related receptors. These receptors are involved in the processes of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and tumor cell survival, which are critical for cancer growth and Lenvatinib Price Malaysia.
Mechanism of action of Lenvatinib:
Lenvatinib inhibits the activity of these receptors and blocks the signals that allow tumors to grow and spread. By targeting these specific pathways, it helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells, without causing the widespread and often harmful effects associated with traditional chemotherapy.
Indications for lenvatinib:
Lenvatinib is used to treat a variety of cancers, including:
Thyroid cancer (particularly for radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer)
Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), often in combination with everolimus
Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), often in combination with atezolizumab
The main differences between lenvatinib and chemotherapy:
Targeted action: Unlike chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, lenvatinib is designed to target specific molecular pathways involved in cancer growth and blood vessel formation.
Side effects: Although lenvatinib does have side effects (such as high blood pressure, fatigue, diarrhea, and liver problems), they are different from the more generalized side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss and severe nausea.
In short, lenvatinib is a targeted therapy that focuses on specific molecules involved in cancer progression, whereas chemotherapy is a more broad-spectrum treatment that kills or damages rapidly dividing cells.
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