Crizotinib is an oral targeted therapy used primarily for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is positive for ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) or ROS1 gene rearrangements. It works by inhibiting specific tyrosine kinases involved in tumor growth and proliferation. Crizotinib was developed by Pfizer and gained attention after clinical trials demonstrated significant tumor shrinkage in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC. The drug was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2011 under the brand name Xalkori, representing one of the earliest successful examples of precision medicine in lung cancer, providing an effective option for patients with specific genetic mutations.
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