China-based Chia Tai Tianqing has announced that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted another indication approval for its anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) benmelstobart (TQB2450). The drug is now approved in combination with the multi-target kinase inhibitor anlotinib to treat patients with non-Microsatellite Instability-High (non MSI-H) or non-Mismatch-Repair–Deficient (non dMMR) recurrent or metastatic endometrial cancer. These patients have previously failed systemic anti-tumor therapy and are not suitable for radical surgery or radiation therapy.
Previous Approvals and the New Indication
The combination therapy, previously approved as a first-line treatment for extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) plus chemotherapy in May, now expands its use to endometrial cancer. This new indication broadens the reach of the benmelstobart and anlotinib combo in treating various types of cancer.
Mechanism of Action and Impact on Immune Response
Benmelstobart works by preventing PD-L1 from binding to PD-1 and B7.1 receptors on the surface of T cells, thereby restoring T cell activity and enhancing the immune response against cancer cells. Anlotinib, on the other hand, targets VEGFR, PDGFR, FGFR, and c-Kit, generating anti-angiogenetic effects and inhibiting tumor growth.
Anlotinib’s Established Track Record
Anlotinib has a history of approvals in China, having first obtained marketing approval to treat previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in May 2018. Since then, it has received additional indications for soft tissue sarcoma, SCLC, medullary thyroid carcinoma, differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and ES-SCLC.-Fineline Info & Tech
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