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Bemcentinib

Bemcentinib is an investigational drug being studied in clinical trials for various types of cancer and COVID-19. This article summarizes key information about ongoing clinical trials evaluating bemcentinib’s safety and effectiveness, either alone or in combination with other treatments, for conditions like lung cancer, leukemia, and COVID-19.

Table of Contents

What is Bemcentinib?

Bemcentinib, also known as BGB324, is a new type of cancer drug currently being studied in clinical trials[1]. It is a selective Axl kinase inhibitor, which means it targets a specific protein in cancer cells called Axl[2]. Axl is a protein that can be found on the surface of cancer cells and is often linked to poor outcomes and resistance to other cancer treatments.

How Does Bemcentinib Work?

Bemcentinib works by blocking the action of the Axl protein[2]. This protein is involved in helping cancer cells grow, survive, and spread. By inhibiting Axl, bemcentinib may be able to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells, making them more vulnerable to other treatments. This approach is particularly promising because Axl is often associated with cancers that are resistant to other therapies[3].

What Conditions Does Bemcentinib Treat?

Bemcentinib is being studied for the treatment of several types of cancer, including:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type of lung cancer[1][4]
  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): A type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow[2]
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): A group of disorders where the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough healthy blood cells[3]
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): An aggressive type of breast cancer[5]
  • Pancreatic cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the pancreas[6]

Interestingly, bemcentinib has also been studied for its potential in treating COVID-19[7]. This is because the Axl protein may play a role in how the virus enters cells.

How is Bemcentinib Administered?

Bemcentinib is taken orally in the form of capsules[8]. The typical dosing schedule involves a higher “loading dose” for the first few days, followed by a lower daily maintenance dose. For example, one study used a loading dose of 400mg for the first three days, followed by 200mg daily thereafter[5]. However, the exact dosage may vary depending on the specific condition being treated and other factors.

Bemcentinib in Clinical Trials

Bemcentinib is being tested in various clinical trials, both as a single agent and in combination with other cancer treatments. Some notable trials include:

  • Combining bemcentinib with immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab for lung cancer and breast cancer[1][5]
  • Using bemcentinib alongside standard chemotherapy drugs for AML and MDS[2]
  • Testing bemcentinib with targeted therapy drugs like erlotinib for lung cancer[4]
  • Investigating bemcentinib in combination with chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer[6]

Potential Side Effects

As with all medications, bemcentinib may cause side effects. The full range of potential side effects is still being studied in clinical trials. Common side effects observed in studies include[1][2]:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Changes in blood cell counts

It’s important to note that side effects can vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience all or any of these side effects. Always discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider.

Future Prospects

Bemcentinib shows promise in treating various types of cancer, particularly those that have become resistant to other treatments. Its ability to target the Axl protein, which is often associated with aggressive cancers and treatment resistance, makes it an exciting area of research[3].

Ongoing clinical trials are exploring bemcentinib’s effectiveness in different types of cancer and in combination with various other treatments. These studies will help determine the best ways to use bemcentinib and which patients are most likely to benefit from it[9][10].

While bemcentinib is not yet approved for general use, the results from these clinical trials will help determine its future role in cancer treatment. Patients interested in bemcentinib should discuss with their oncologist whether participating in a clinical trial might be appropriate for their situation.

Cancer Type Combination Therapy Phase Key Outcomes
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Pembrolizumab II Objective response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival
NSCLC Erlotinib I/II Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, anti-tumor activity
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Cytarabine or Decitabine Ib/II Safety, efficacy, objective response rate, overall survival
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) Pembrolizumab II Objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival
Advanced NSCLC with STK11 mutation Pembrolizumab, carboplatin, pemetrexed Ib/IIa Safety, tolerability, objective response rate
COVID-19 Standard of care II Time to clinical improvement, safety, mortality

FAQ

  • What is bemcentinib? Bemcentinib is an investigational drug that selectively inhibits AXL, a protein involved in cancer growth and spread. It is being studied as a potential treatment for various types of cancer and COVID-19.
  • What types of cancer is bemcentinib being studied for? Bemcentinib is being evaluated in clinical trials for several types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
  • How is bemcentinib administered? Bemcentinib is typically administered orally in the form of capsules. The dosing schedule may vary depending on the specific clinical trial and combination therapy being studied.
  • What are some of the combination therapies being tested with bemcentinib? Bemcentinib is being studied in combination with various other treatments, including pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug), erlotinib (for lung cancer), cytarabine and decitabine (for leukemia), and standard chemotherapy regimens.
  • Are there any clinical trials studying bemcentinib for COVID-19? Yes, there is a clinical trial evaluating bemcentinib as a potential treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The study aims to assess its safety and efficacy when added to standard of care treatment.

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Bemcentinib

  • Study of Bemcentinib with Pembrolizumab, Carboplatin, and Pemetrexed for Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with STK11 Mutation

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    France Greece Hungary Italy Poland Spain

  • Study on the Effectiveness and Safety of Bemcentinib for Hospitalized Patients with Moderate COVID-19

    Not recruiting

    1
    Investigated drugs:
    Belgium Czechia France Greece Ireland Italy +4

Glossary

  • AXL: A protein found on the surface of cells that is involved in promoting cancer growth and spread. Bemcentinib works by inhibiting AXL.
  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): The most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 80-85% of all cases. It includes subtypes like adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): A type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow and affects the production of normal blood cells.
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): A group of disorders where the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): An aggressive type of breast cancer that lacks receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 protein.
  • Pembrolizumab: An immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system detect and fight cancer cells.
  • Erlotinib: A targeted therapy drug used to treat certain types of lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.
  • Cytarabine: A chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat leukemia and lymphomas.
  • Decitabine: A drug used to treat certain blood disorders and blood cancers by affecting how genes are expressed.
  • Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD): The highest dose of a drug that can be given without causing unacceptable side effects.
  • Pharmacokinetics (PK): The study of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body.
  • Pharmacodynamics (PD): The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the body.
  • Objective Response Rate (ORR): The proportion of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.
  • Progression-free Survival (PFS): The length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives with cancer without it worsening.
  • Overall Survival (OS): The length of time from the start of treatment or diagnosis that patients are still alive.

References

  1. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03184571
  2. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02488408
  3. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03824080
  4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02424617
  5. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03184558
  6. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03649321
  7. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04890509
  8. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06469138
  9. https://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-of-bemcentinib-with-pembrolizumab-carboplatin-and-pemetrexed-for-patients-with-advanced-or-metastatic-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-with-stk11-mutation/
  10. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06516887