Avapritinib
Avapritinib
Avapritinib (pronounced as ava-prit-in-ib) is a type of medication used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, specifically gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and systemic mastocytosis. It is marketed under the brand name Ayvakit.
Etymology
The name "Avapritinib" is derived from the pharmaceutical naming convention, which typically includes the suffix "-ib" for drugs that inhibit a specific molecular target. In this case, the target is a protein called KIT, which is often mutated in GISTs and systemic mastocytosis.
Mechanism of Action
Avapritinib works by inhibiting the activity of a protein called KIT, which is often mutated in GISTs and systemic mastocytosis. This mutation leads to uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer. By inhibiting KIT, Avapritinib can slow down or stop the growth of these cancer cells.
Related Terms
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): A type of tumor that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, often in the stomach or small intestine.
- Systemic mastocytosis: A disorder caused by too many mast cells in the body, which can lead to symptoms such as skin lesions, abdominal pain, and anaphylaxis.
- Protein kinase inhibitor: A type of drug that blocks the action of one or more protein kinases, enzymes that modify other proteins by adding phosphate groups to them. Avapritinib is a type of protein kinase inhibitor.
- KIT (gene): A gene that provides instructions for making a protein that helps control many important cellular processes. Mutations in this gene are often found in GISTs and systemic mastocytosis.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Avapritinib
- Wikipedia's article - Avapritinib
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