Crizotinib is an anti-cancer drug.Crizotinib has an aminopyridine structure, and functions as a protein kinase inhibitor by competitive binding within the ATP-binding pocket of target kinases.Crizotinib is currently thought to exert its effects through modulation of the growth, migration, and invasion of malignant cells.Other studies suggest that crizotinib might also act via inhibition of angiogenesis in malignant tumors.
Crizotinib caused tumors to shrink or stabilize in 90% of 82 patients carrying the ALK fusion gene. Tumors shrank at least 30% in 57% of people treated. Most had adenocarcinoma, and had never smoked or were former smokers. They had undergone treatment with an average of three other drugs prior to receiving crizotinib, and only 10% were expected to respond to standard therapy. They were given 250 mg crizotinib twice daily for a median duration of six months. Approximately 50% of these patients suffered at least one side effect, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Some responses to crizotinib have lasted up to 15 months.
Crizotinib is also being tested in clinical trials of advanced disseminated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, and neuroblastoma.
