About Lung cancer
This is a potentially deadly cancer that affects the lungs, airways within the lungs, and neighboring tissues. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the United States and places a significant burden on individuals, families, and the medical system.
Causes of lung cancer
The primary cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars. Other risk factors include exposure to certain chemicals and radiation, previous lung diseases, and a family history of the disease. Symptoms of lung cancer may include coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue. Diagnosis is made generally through imaging tests most importantly chest x-rays, CT scans, PET scans, and sputum cytology.
Treatment for lung cancer
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the stage of cancer and includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Lung cancer is treated with targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy. If a patient is inoperable or has recurrent or metastatic tumors, then systemic treatments such as systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy are or can be employed.
Prognosis is determined by several factors, including the stage of cancer, the size of the tumor, the patient’s general health, and response to treatment. Generally, the chance of survival is better if the cancer is caught early and treated aggressively.
Ways to prevent lung cancer
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent lung cancer. Quitting smoking is the single most important action anyone can take to reduce the risk of lung cancer. People who do not smoke and are exposed to extra tobacco smoke should also protect themselves by ensuring they stay away from areas with secondhand smoke. Testing for radon gas in homes can also help to reduce their exposure to known carcinogens. Finally, people at high risk for lung cancer may ask their doctor about preventative preventive screenings and other measures to detect the disease in its early stages.
About Loratinib
This is a small molecule drug from the class of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). It is classified as a selective, dual inhibitor of both the activating and T790M resistance mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFRs are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases that are important for cell growth, proliferation, and survival. Mutations in EGFRs can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, leading to tumorigenesis. As such, Loratinib functions by inhibiting the activities of mutated EGFRs and blocking the growth of tumor cells.
Despite its efficacy, Loratinib 100mg tablet is still relatively new and the long-term effects of the drug remain mostly unknown. Further clinical studies and trials will be required to determine the safety, efficacy, and long-term effects of Loratinib in the treatment of NSCLC and other types of cancer.
Conclusion
In summary, Loratinib is a small molecule drug from the class of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and it is used for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. It has demonstrated efficacy in Phase 2 clinical trials, with reported response rates in patients reaching 83%. Loratinib functions by binding competitively to the T790M mutation of the EGFR, inhibiting the receptor and reducing tumor cell growth. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, high cholesterol, and rash. Despite its efficacy, Loratinib is still in its early stages of development and long-term effects remain largely unknown.
In summary, though lung cancer is a serious and potentially deadly form of cancer, it can be prevented and treated. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms and action to reduce exposure to known carcinogens can help reduce the incidence of the disease. With early detection and active, aggressive treatment, an early diagnosis, and successful outcome are more likely.
