HUTCHMED has introduced novel fruquintinib and sintilimab (a PD-1 antibody). The combination of fruquintinib and sintilimab is a promising development for patients with advanced endometrial cancer with pMMR1 tumours who have failed at least one line of platinum-based therapy.
Fruquintinib is an oral inhibitor that specifically targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) -1, -2, and -3. VEGFR inhibitors are essential in blocking tumour angiogenesis.
Fruquintinib is aimed to improve kinase selectivity, minimising off-target toxicities, and enhancing tolerability while providing consistent target coverage. It has shown good tolerability in patients and is being studied in combination with other anti-cancer therapies.
On the other hand, sintilimab is classified as an immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody that specifically targets PD-1 molecules found on T-cells' surfaces. By blocking the PD-1/PD-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway, it reactivates T-cells to attack cancer cells.
The breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) granted by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) signifies the potential of this combination in treating advanced endometrial cancer patients.
