Drug-drug interactions with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors in lung cancer

Abstract

The development of the tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has led to new treatment options for lung cancer. As this new class of drugs is extensively used, serious drug-drug interactions are in increasing risk, and tailored treatment is urgently needed. All TKIs are given orally, extensively distributed in vivo and highly bound to plasma proteins. A change in stomach pH may affect their absorptions. Most of them are substrates of drug transporters ATP-binding cassette B1/G2 and cytochrome P450 isozymes. At the same time, they often exert an inductive or inhibitory effect on these enzymes. Patients are at substantial risk of having drug-drug interactions during treatment with TKIs in daily clinical practice Key words: Lung neoplasms; Protein-tyrosine kinases; Protein kinase inhibitors; Pharmacokinetics; Drug interactions