Efficacy and effects of gefitinib

Lung cancer is currently the most common malignancy worldwide, and with the increasing incidence of the disease, lung cancer has become the leading cause of cancer deaths, with approximately 2/3 of these patients already having distant metastases, or advanced lung cancer, at the time of diagnosis. Gefitinib is a potent epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits proliferation, growth, survival, and signaling pathways in advanced lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-positive lung adenocarcinoma. It is usually taken once a day, one tablet at a time, on an empty stomach or with food. The most common adverse reactions to gefitinib are diarrhea, rash, itchy skin, dry skin, and acne, with an incidence of more than 20%, occurring within 1 month of taking the drug, and usually reversible. Currently, gefitinib is mainly indicated as first-line treatment for patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor positivity.