Tyrosinkinasinhämmare

Tyrosinkinasinhämmare, often abbreviated as TKIs, are a class of drugs used primarily in cancer treatment. Their mechanism of action involves blocking the activity of tyrosine kinases, which are enzymes crucial for cell signaling pathways. These pathways regulate essential cellular processes such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. In many cancers, tyrosine kinases become overactive due to genetic mutations, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. TKIs work by binding to the active site of these aberrant tyrosine kinases, thereby preventing them from phosphorylating their target proteins and disrupting the downstream signaling cascades that promote cancer growth.

The development of TKIs marked a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy. Unlike traditional chemotherapy that affects all rapidly dividing cells, TKIs are designed to be more specific, targeting the molecular abnormalities driving the cancer. This specificity can lead to a more favorable side effect profile and improved patient outcomes in certain malignancies. Examples of cancers treated with TKIs include chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and various types of lung cancer, among others. The effectiveness and specific use of a particular TKI depend on the type of cancer and the specific tyrosine kinase mutation present. Ongoing research continues to identify new tyrosine kinases as therapeutic targets and to develop novel TKI drugs with enhanced efficacy and reduced resistance.