Afinitor (everolimus, RAD001)

by Alyssa Liguori
Brand Name: Afinitor
Generic Name: everolimus
Code Name: RAD001
Company: Novartis
FDA Clinical Phase: 1/2

Description:
Afinitor was approved by the FDA in March 2009 for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, but it is currently also being studied in multiple myeloma. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The enzyme mTOR has a role in cell growth and is associated with tumor progression. Afinitor blocks this enzyme’s activity, reducing both tumor cell growth and growth of blood vessels (angiogenesis) connected to tumor cells. Clinical trials studying the effects of Afinitor in relapsed, recurrent, and refractory multiple myeloma are underway.

Clinical Trials:
There are several clinical trials studying Afinitor for the treatment of multiple myeloma, and three are recruiting new participants.

Official website for Afinitor: http://www.afinitor.com.

Updated December 26, 2009

Related Articles:

Leave a comment

Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS.