Ceritinib is a type of targeted cancer therapy known as a kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking the activity of specific proteins called kinases, particularly the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). These kinases are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. By inhibiting ALK and other related proteins, ceritinib can slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells that depend on these pathways.

Ceritinib is most active against cancers that have changes (mutations or rearrangements) in the ALK gene. It also inhibits other kinases, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), insulin receptor (InsR), and ROS1, but its main effect is through ALK inhibition. By blocking these signals, ceritinib helps control cancer cell proliferation and survival.

ceritinib

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