Lung cancer (bronchial carcinoma)

Brief overview Symptoms: Initially often no symptoms or only nonspecific symptoms (such as persistent cough, chest pain, fatigue). Later, e.g., shortness of breath, low-grade fever, severe weight loss, bloody sputum. Main forms of lung cancer: the most common is non-small cell lung cancer (with subgroups). Less common but more aggressive is small cell bronchial carcinoma. … Lung cancer (bronchial carcinoma)

Risk Factors

Definition The presence of a risk factor increases the likelihood of a disease or adverse event. For example, smoking is a recognized risk factor for lung cancer, COPD, and cardiovascular disease. There is a causal (cause-and-effect) relationship. Relationship between risk factor and disease The presence of a risk factor does not necessarily lead to the … Risk Factors

Crizotinib

Products Crizotinib has been approved in many countries since 2012 in capsule form (Xalkori). Structure and properties Crizotinib (C21H22Cl2FN5O, Mr = 450.3 g/mol) is an aminopyridine. It exists as a white to yellowish powder that is soluble in acidic solution to 10 mg/mL. Effects Crizotinib (ATC L01XE16) has antitumor and antiproliferative properties. The effects are … Crizotinib

Gefitinib

Products Gefitinib is commercially available in the form of film-coated tablets (Iressa). It was approved in many countries in 2011. Structure Gefitinib (C22H24ClFN4O3, Mr = 446.9 g/mol) is a morpholine and aniline quinazoline derivative. It exists as a white powder that is sparingly soluble in water, especially at high pH. Effects Gefitinib (ATC L01XE02) is … Gefitinib

Alectinib

Products Alectinib was approved in capsule form in Japan in 2014, in the United States in 2015, and in many countries in 2017 (Alecensa). Structure and properties Alectinib (C30H34N4O2, Mr = 482.6 g/mol) is present in the drug product as alectinib hydrochloride, a white to yellow-white powder. It has an active metabolite (M4). Effects Alectinib … Alectinib

Pembrolizumab

Products Pembrolizumab was approved as an infusion product in the United States in 2014 and in the EU and many countries in 2015 (Keytruda). Structure and properties Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It is an IgG4-κ immunoglobulin with a molecular weight of approximately 149 kDa. Effects Pembrolizumab (ATC L01XC18) has antitumor and immunomodulatory properties. … Pembrolizumab

Pemetrexed

Products Pemetrexed is commercially available as an infusion drug (Alimta, generic). It has been approved in many countries since 2005. Structure and properties Pemetrexed (C20H21N5O6, Mr = 427.4 g/mol) is a folic acid analog. It is present in drugs hydrated and as a disodium salt, in the original preparation as pemetrexed disodium heptahydrate, a white … Pemetrexed

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Symptoms Possible symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include a chronic cough, mucus production, sputum, shortness of breath, chest tightness, breath sounds, lack of energy, and sleep disturbances. The symptoms often worsen with physical exertion. An acute worsening of chronic symptoms is referred to as an exacerbation. In addition, numerous systemic and extrapulmonary concomitant … Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Cannabis

Products Hemp and preparations made from it, such as marijuana, cannabis resin, THC, and cannabis extracts, are generally among the prohibited narcotics in many countries. However, the Federal Office of Public Health may grant exemptions for research, drug development and limited medical use. In 2013, a cannabis oral spray (Sativex) was approved as a medicine … Cannabis