Crizotinib is a targeted therapy known as a kinase inhibitor. It blocks specific proteins called receptor tyrosine kinases, including ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), ROS1, and c-Met. These proteins can become abnormally active in certain cancers, including some blood cancers like ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

By inhibiting these proteins, crizotinib disrupts the signals that tell cancer cells to grow and survive. In ALK-positive ALCL, the presence of abnormal ALK fusion proteins leads to uncontrolled cell growth. Crizotinib binds to these proteins and shuts down their activity, which can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells and may lead to tumor shrinkage.

Crizotinib has shown effectiveness in both adults and children with ALK-positive cancers, including certain blood cancers. Its targeted action means it is most effective in patients whose tumors have specific genetic changes (ALK or ROS1 positivity), which should be confirmed with appropriate testing before starting treatment.

crizotinib

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