Cutting-edge targeting Nobel Prize signaling pathway, the disease control rate of innovative therapies for renal cell carcinoma reached 98%

▎The content team editor of WuXi AppTec recently, the hypoxia-inducible factor inhibitor belzutifan developed by Merck & Co.
(MSD) for the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease The results of a phase 2 clinical trial in the New England Journal of Medicine "Released on
.

The results of the test showed that Belzutifan achieved a 98% disease control rate.
After 24 months of treatment, the patient's progression-free survival rate was 96%
.

VHL is a rare genetic disease that can abnormally activate hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-2α) in cancer patients
.

The HIF-2α factor thus accumulates in the patient's body and leads to the formation of benign and malignant tumors
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Belzutifan is a potent and selective new oral HIF-2α inhibitor
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HIF-2α pathway related research has won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2019
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Based on the positive interim results of belzutifan in this clinical trial, the US FDA has approved it for marketing in August this year
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The results published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that among 61 patients with renal cell carcinoma treated, 30 (49%) achieved partial remission, and 30 patients (49%) had stable disease
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The reduction of tumor foci was observed in 92% of patients
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At 24 months, the patient's progression-free survival rate was 95%
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As of the data collection deadline, 89% of patients are still receiving treatment
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▲Belzutifan's Phase 2 clinical trial data (picture source: reference [1]) 61 patients who participated in the trial also had lesions in other parts of the body.
Belzutifan achieved an objective remission rate of 77% in reducing pancreatic lesions, including 10% complete Ease
.

In the discussion, the researchers pointed out that the usual treatment for tumors associated with VHL disease is to use surgery to reduce the risk of metastatic disease
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However, as the risk of tumors in the affected organs continues to increase in patients with VHL disease, most patients need to undergo multiple surgeries throughout their lives
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As an effective systemic therapy, Belzutifan provides a new treatment option for the control of VHL disease-related tumors and reduces the surgical burden on patients
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Reference: [1] Jonasch et al.
, (2021).
Belzutifan for Renal Cell Carcinoma in von Hippel–Lindau Disease.
NEJM, DOI: 10.
1056/NEJMoa2103425 Disclaimer: WuXi AppTec content team focuses on introducing global biomedical health research progress
.

This article is for the purpose of information exchange only.
The opinions expressed in the article do not represent the position of WuXi AppTec, nor does it mean that WuXi AppTec supports or opposes the views in the article
.

This article is not a treatment recommendation either
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If you need guidance on treatment plans, please go to a regular hospital for treatment
.