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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 04/21/2009
  • Updated: 12/27/2011

Everolimus

listen 1  (eh-veh-ROH-lih-mus)

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

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

FDA Approval for Everolimus 2

Use in Cancer

Everolimus is approved to treat:

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

More About Everolimus

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

MedlinePlus Information on Everolimus 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: Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Advanced Breast Cancer 6 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Targeted Therapies May Be Effective Against Rare Pancreatic Cancer 7 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Everolimus Extends Progression-Free Survival in Advanced Kidney Cancer 8 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Everolimus 9 - 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

advanced cancer (ad-VANST KAN-ser)
Cancer that has spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment.
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.
kidney cancer (KID-nee KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products) and renal pelvis carcinoma (cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects). It also includes Wilms tumor, which is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5.
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.
neuroendocrine tumor (NOOR-oh-EN-doh-krin TOO-mer)
A tumor that forms from cells that release hormones in response to a signal from the nervous system. Some examples of neuroendocrine tumors are carcinoid tumors, islet cell tumors, medullary thyroid carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, and neuroendocrine carcinomas of the skin (Merkel cell cancer). These tumors may secrete higher-than-normal amounts of hormones, which can cause many different symptoms.
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.
progressive disease (pruh-GREH-siv dih-ZEEZ)
Cancer that is growing, spreading, or getting worse.
renal cell carcinoma (REE-nul sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
The most common type of kidney cancer. It begins in the lining of the renal tubules in the kidney. The renal tubules filter the blood and produce urine. Also called hypernephroma, renal cell adenocarcinoma, and renal cell cancer.
subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SUB-eh-PEN-dih-mul JY-unt sel AS-troh-sy-TOH-muh)
A benign (not cancer), slow-growing tumor that usually forms in the walls of fluid-filled spaces in the brain. The tumors are made up of large, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas are common in patients with tuberous sclerosis (an inherited disorder in which benign tumors form in the brain and other parts of the body). Also called SEGA.
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.
tuberous sclerosis (TOO-ber-us skleh-ROH-sis)
A genetic disorder in which benign (not cancer) tumors form in the kidneys, brain, eyes, heart, lungs, and skin. This disease can cause seizures, mental disabilities, and different types of skin lesions.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/713182.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-everolimus
3http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=372905
4http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a609032.html
5http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/targeted
6http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/summary/2011/BOLERO2_1211
7http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/summary/2011/panNET-Therapy2011
8http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/everolimus-kidney0708
9http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=372905&idtype=1
10http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
12http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
13http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access