n. a drug used in the management of advanced renal cell carcinoma and resistant thyroid cancer. It is an inhibitor of multiple kinases (see protein kinase; tyrosine kinase inhibitor), preventing the mediation of cell growth and proliferation, and blocks *vascular endothelial growth factor receptors on tumour cells, preventing new vessel formation. Side-effects include rash, diarrhoea, and hypertension.
an enzyme that catalyses the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a specific amino acid residue of an intracellular protein (usually serine, threonine, or tyrosine), thereby affecting the biological activity of the protein. Protein kinase inhibitors are drugs that block the action of protein kinases in tumour cells and are used in the treatment of cancer. They include *sorafenib, *sunitinib, and *temsirolimus. See also tyrosine kinase inhibitor.... protein kinase
(Grawitz tumour, hypernephroma) a malignant tumour of kidney cells (the alternative name refers to its supposed resemblance to part of the adrenal gland and at one time it was thought to originate from this site). It may be present for some years before giving rise to symptoms, which include fever, loin pain and swelling, and blood in the urine. Treatment is by surgery, but tumours are apt to recur locally or spread via the bloodstream and can often be seen growing along the renal vein. Secondary growths from a renal cell carcinoma in the lung have a characteristic ‘cannon-ball’ appearance. These tumours are relatively insensitive to radiotherapy and cytotoxic drugs but some respond to such hormones as progestogens. Targeted therapy with *sorafenib and *sunitinib has significantly changed the treatment of advanced tumours.... renal cell carcinoma
(targeted therapy) a drug that interferes with specific molecular targets in the pathways involved in cancer cell growth and signalling, in contrast to *cytotoxic drugs that act primarily on rapidly dividing cells. It typically requires prolonged courses of treatment, and the anticancer action can be synergistic with *chemotherapy. Many new drugs are being developed and are undergoing trials to determine optimal use. The *tyrosine kinase inhibitors include imatinib and *epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors; multitargeted agents include *sorafenib and *sunitinib. The monoclonal antibodies include *rituximab, *trastuzumab, *cetuximab, and *bevacizumab.... targeted agent
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