Erlotinib is an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat certain small cell lung cancers or advanced metastatic pancreatic cancers. It is typically marketed under the trade name Tarceva.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
The mechanism of clinical antitumor action of erlotinib is not fully characterized. Erlotinib inhibits the intracellular phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Specificity of inhibition with regard to other tyrosine kinase receptors has not been fully characterized. EGFR is expressed on the cell surface of normal cells and cancer cells.
- Primary indication
- Erlotinib is indicated for: The treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumors showing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations.Curator reviewed · 4 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C22H23N3O4 · 393.4357 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2005 · United States, 2005 · European Union, 2016
- Code names
- CP-358,774 · CP-35877401 · OSI-774 · R-1415 · RG-1415
- Brand names
Resolves to
AAKJLRGGTJKAMG-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCOCCOC1=CC2=C(C=C1OCCOC)C(NC1=CC(=CC=C1)C#C)=NC=N2What you can answer from here — as of September 21, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Erlotinib, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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