Everolimus (afinitor)

Everolimus (affinitor)

Clinical use

Affinitor is an anticancer drug of the protein kinase inhibitorós group. The active substance is everolimus. The drug's mechanism of action is to inhibit the activity of the protein kinase mTOR, which controls cell division and the synthesis of HIF transcription factors that regulate the ability of tumors to adapt to conditions of oxygen deprivation and to produce vascular endothelial growth factor. Inhibition of mTOR kinase activity by everolimus not only limits the division of tumor cells, but also decreases the levels of HIF and VEGF proteins in the tumor or its environment thereby inhibiting tumor vascularization. Afinitor has immunosuppressive effects. Side effects of the drug are mainly infections and hematological disorders. To monitor the effect of the drug, the concentration of everolimus in whole blood should be determined, since it is a compound thatós largely penetrated into erythrocytesów.

Patient Preparation

Material: Blood EDTA