Table of Contents
- What is TPST-1120?
- How does TPST-1120 work?
- What cancers can TPST-1120 treat?
- Clinical trials involving TPST-1120
- Combination therapies
- Potential benefits
- Side effects and safety
What is TPST-1120?
TPST-1120 is a new drug being studied for the treatment of various types of cancer. It is described as a small molecule selective antagonist of a protein called PPAR-alpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha)[1]. In simpler terms, TPST-1120 is a medication that works by blocking a specific protein in cancer cells, which may help to slow down or stop cancer growth.
How does TPST-1120 work?
TPST-1120 works by targeting the PPAR-alpha protein, which is involved in various processes in the body, including the metabolism of fats. By blocking this protein, TPST-1120 may interfere with the cancer cells’ ability to use fats as an energy source, potentially slowing down their growth and spread[1].
What cancers can TPST-1120 treat?
TPST-1120 is being studied for the treatment of several types of advanced solid tumors. These include:
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): A type of liver cancer
- Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer: Advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to hormone therapy
- Renal Cell Carcinoma: A type of kidney cancer
- Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: The most common type of lung cancer
- Colorectal Cancer: Cancer of the colon or rectum
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck: Cancer that begins in the flat cells lining the inside of the mouth, nose, and throat
- Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A type of breast cancer that doesn’t have the three most common receptors known to fuel breast cancer growth
- Urothelial Carcinoma: Cancer that typically occurs in the urinary system
- Cholangiocarcinoma: Cancer of the bile ducts
- GastroEsophageal Cancer: Cancer of the stomach and esophagus
- Pancreatic Cancer: Cancer of the pancreas
These cancers are being studied in clinical trials to determine how effective TPST-1120 is in treating them[1].
Clinical trials involving TPST-1120
TPST-1120 is currently being tested in several clinical trials:
- A Phase 1/1b study is evaluating TPST-1120 both as a single agent and in combination with other cancer treatments in patients with advanced solid tumors[1].
- A Phase 3 study is comparing TPST-1120 in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab to placebo plus atezolizumab and bevacizumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have not received prior systemic therapy[2].
- TPST-1120 is also being studied as part of a larger umbrella study (Morpheus-Liver) that is evaluating multiple immunotherapy-based treatment combinations in patients with advanced liver cancers[3].
Combination therapies
TPST-1120 is being studied both as a standalone treatment and in combination with other cancer drugs. Some of the combinations being tested include:
These combinations are being studied to see if they can improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment compared to using single drugs alone.
Potential benefits
The potential benefits of TPST-1120 that researchers are investigating include:
- Improved overall survival (helping patients live longer)[2]
- Increased progression-free survival (the time patients live without their cancer getting worse)[2]
- Higher overall response rate (the number of patients whose tumors shrink or disappear)[2]
Side effects and safety
As TPST-1120 is still in clinical trials, its full safety profile is not yet known. The ongoing studies are closely monitoring patients for any side effects or adverse reactions. Some of the key safety measures being evaluated include:
- Incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (side effects severe enough to prevent increasing the dose)[1]
- Treatment-emergent adverse events (side effects that appear or worsen during treatment)[1]
- Determination of the maximum tolerated dose (the highest dose that can be given safely)[1]
It’s important to note that as TPST-1120 is still in the experimental stage, it is only available to patients participating in clinical trials. If you’re interested in learning more about TPST-1120 or potentially participating in a clinical trial, it’s best to discuss this with your oncologist or healthcare provider.



