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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 03/16/2007
  • Updated: 10/26/2011

Lapatinib Ditosylate

listen 1  (luh-PA-tih-nib dy-TOH-sih-layt)

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

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

FDA Approval for Lapatinib Ditosylate 2

Use in Cancer

Lapatinib ditosylate is approved to be used with other drugs to treat:

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

More About Lapatinib Ditosylate

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

MedlinePlus Information on Lapatinib Ditosylate 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

The ALTTO (Adjuvant Lapatinib and/or Trastuzumab Treatment Optimisation) Breast Cancer Trial 6 - Information about a major NCI-supported clinical trial for this drug.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Lapatinib Ditosylate 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

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.
breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
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.
capecitabine (ka-peh-SY-tuh-been)
A drug used to treat stage III colon cancer in patients who had surgery to remove the cancer. It is also used to treat metastatic breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with certain other anticancer drugs. Capecitabine is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It is taken up by cancer cells and breaks down into 5-fluorouracil, a substance that kills tumor cells. Capecitabine is a type of antimetabolite. Also called Xeloda.
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.
HER2/neu
A protein involved in normal cell growth. It is found on some types of cancer cells, including breast and ovarian. Cancer cells removed from the body may be tested for the presence of HER2/neu to help decide the best type of treatment. HER2/neu is a type of receptor tyrosine kinase. Also called c-erbB-2, human EGF receptor 2, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.
hormone receptor test (HOR-mone reh-SEP-ter test)
A test to measure the amount of certain proteins, called hormone receptors, in cancer tissue. Hormones can attach to these proteins. A high level of hormone receptors may mean that hormones help the cancer grow.
hormone therapy (HOR-mone THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), synthetic hormones or other drugs may be given to block the body’s natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the gland that makes a certain hormone. Also called endocrine therapy, hormonal therapy, and hormone treatment.
letrozole (LET-ruh-zole)
A drug used to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Letrozole causes a decrease in the amount of estrogen made by the body. It is a type of aromatase inhibitor. Also called Femara.
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.
positive test result (PAH-zih-tiv ... reh-ZULT)
A test result that reveals the presence of a specific disease or condition for which the test is being done.
postmenopausal (post-MEH-nuh-PAW-zul)
Having to do with the time after menopause. Menopause (“change of life”) is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop permanently.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/718300.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-lapatinib
3http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=269659
4http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a607055.html
5http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/targeted
6http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/digestpage/ALTTO
7http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=269659&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