Apatinib (Aitan)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: An orally bioavailable, small-molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potential antiangiogenic and antineoplastic activities. Apatinib selectively binds to and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, which may inhibit VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell migration and proliferation and decrease tumor microvessel density. In addition, this agent mildly inhibits c-Kit and c-SRC tyrosine kinases.

Diseases for which it is established (work in progress)

• Hepatocellular carcinoma

Diseases for which it is used

• Esophageal cancer
  • Esophageal adenocarcinoma
• Gastric cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer, EGFR-mutated
• Thyroid cancer, differentiated

Also known as

• Code name: YN-968D1
• Generic name: rivoceranib
• Brand name: Aitan