Priya Menon Priya Menon Scientific Media Editor at Curetalk

5 Lung Cancer Drugs To Be Launched By 2014

5 lung cancer drugs

Lung cancer drugs in the anvil.

Lung cancer is an area with high need for early diagnosis with limited treatment options, especially in advanced stages. While reading up about drugs used in treating lung cancer, I came across many new drugs in various stages of clinical trials. These drugs, once approved may bring relief to many lung cancer patients. Here, I have compiled information about 5 lung cancer drugs that are expected to hit the market by 2014.

  • Xalkori (Crizotinib)

Xalkori received a fast track approval in its phase II trial. The drug has been launched in August 2011 and is being reviewed by the European Medical Agency. This is a prescription drug used for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is in its advanced stages and is caused due to a mutation in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene.

  • Afatinib

Afatinib is a next generation inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal receptor 2(HER2) tyrosine kinase. The compound is being developed in several solid tumor types. Phase III trials of the drug has seen promising results.

  • Dacomitinib

Dacomitinib is an oral irreversible inhibitor of HER1, HER2, and HER4 tyrosine kinases developed at Pfizer. In Phase III study (ARCHER 1009); Pfizer plans to evaluate dacomitinib’s efficacy and safety in comparison to Tarceva in the study population.

  • Talactoferrin

Talactoferrin is a genetically engineered form of human protein lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is found in body secretions like breast milk, saliva, and tears. Clinical trials have proved that talactoferrin improves survival in patients with NSCLC without toxic side effects. DSM and AGENNIX have signed up for commercial manufacture of Talactoferrin.

  • ARQ 197

ARQ 197 is a small molecule inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase, in patients with NSCLC. ArQule, Inc. and Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. have moved ARQ197 into Phase III clinical trials. The trial would compare efficacy of ARQ197 and Erlotinib against Erlotinib and placebo.

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  2. Summary of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Clinical Trials, Investigational Treatments, Researchers and Research Sites
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