everolimus

Definition of everolimus

everolimus (eh-veh-ROH-lih-mus): A drug used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of breast cancer, kidney cancer, and pancreatic, lung, and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. It is used under the brand name Afinitor to treat these cancers and to treat a type of benign kidney tumor called renal angiomyolipoma and a type of benign brain tumor called subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in patients who have tuberous sclerosis. Everolimus is also used under the brand name Afinitor Disperz to treat subependymal giant cell astrocytoma and certain types of seizures in patients who have tuberous sclerosis. It is also used under the brand name Zortress to keep the body from rejecting a kidney or liver transplant. Everolimus is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer. It blocks a protein involved in cell division, which may help keep abnormal cells, including cancer cells, from growing. It may also prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Everolimus also lowers the body’s immune response. It is a type of kinase inhibitor, a type of angiogenesis inhibitor, and a type of immunosuppressant. Also called RAD001.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms