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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 10/05/2006
  • Updated: 10/28/2011

Erlotinib Hydrochloride

listen 1  (er-LOH-tih-nib HY-droh-KLOR-ide)

This page contains brief information about erlotinib hydrochloride and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s): Tarceva
FDA Approved: Yes

FDA Approval for Erlotinib Hydrochloride 2

Use in Cancer

Erlotinib hydrochloride is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

Erlotinib hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

More About Erlotinib Hydrochloride

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 3 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Erlotinib Hydrochloride 4 - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Targeted Cancer Therapies 5 - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Research Results

Clinical Trial Results: Erlotinib Extends Survival in Advanced Lung Cancer 6 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Erlotinib Hydrochloride 7 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
drug (drug)
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
gemcitabine hydrochloride (jem-SY-tuh-been HY-droh-KLOR-ide)
A drug used to treat pancreatic cancer that is advanced or has spread. It is also used with other drugs to treat breast cancer that has spread, advanced ovarian cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer that is advanced or has spread. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Gemcitabine hydrochloride blocks the cell from making DNA and may kill cancer cells. Also called Gemzar.
locally advanced cancer (LOH-kuh-lee ad-VANST KAN-ser)
Cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
metastasize (meh-TAS-tuh-size)
To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.
non-small cell lung cancer (... sel lung KAN-ser)
A group of lung cancers that are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look under a microscope. The three main types of non-small cell lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common kind of lung cancer.
pancreatic cancer (PAN-kree-A-tik KAN-ser)
A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Also called exocrine cancer.
surgery (SER-juh-ree)
A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/718433.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-erlotinib-hydrochloride
3http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=38428
4http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a605008.html
5http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/targeted
6http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/lung-and-erlotinib0604
7http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=38428&idtype=1
8http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
9http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
10http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access