Tirosinrakináshämmare

Tirosinrakináshämmare, also known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), are a class of targeted therapy drugs used to treat certain types of cancer. They work by blocking the action of specific enzymes called tyrosine kinases. These enzymes play a crucial role in cell signaling pathways that control cell growth, division, and survival. In some cancers, these tyrosine kinases are overactive or mutated, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. TKIs interfere with these abnormal signals, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and, in some cases, causing cancer cells to die.

The development of TKIs represented a significant advancement in cancer treatment, moving away from traditional chemotherapy that affects all rapidly dividing cells. TKIs are designed to be more specific, targeting the molecular changes that drive a particular cancer. This targeted approach can lead to fewer side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy, although side effects are still possible and can vary depending on the specific TKI. Examples of cancers treated with TKIs include chronic myeloid leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and certain types of lung cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and kidney cancer. The effectiveness of a TKI is often dependent on the presence of a specific genetic mutation or alteration in the cancer cells that activates the targeted tyrosine kinase.