Phase 3 trials of two multi-kinase inhibitors against cancer

Sorafenib and stutent multi-kinase inhibitors against cancer is undergoing phase 3 trials and these two drugs gained more appreciation in this years ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) conference. This drug is gaining interest due to its multiple mechanism of action – known as Multi-kinase inhibitors. These drugs are in trial against different types of cancer and are found to be very effective. This two multi targeted oncology drug candidate is a small molecule named Sorafenib (Bay43-9006) and stutent (SU11248).

Sorafenib is produced by Onyx pharmaceuticals of California collaborating with Bayer pharmaceuticals of Connecticut and Stutent by Pfizer of New York city. Both these drugs are undergoing phase 3 trials.

Results of the study show that Sorafenib in advanced kidney cancer patients taking the drug lived twice as long as that placebo. Gleevec (imatinib) resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were much less likely to progress in patients taking stutent versus those on placebo.

Both these drug act against tumor and its ability to recruit new blood vessels essential for growth and dissemination via multiple mechanisms. Sorafenib works by inhibiting the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway and, in parallel, impedes angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor-2 (VEGF-2) and platelet derived growth factor beta (PDGF- â). Stutent also has dual actions, killing VEGF and PDGF- á and â as well as FLT-3 and C-KIT.

Pfizer is developing more multi-targeted cancer drugs, such as small AG-013736 which has encouraging results in its phase 2 trials in kidney cancer.

Multi-targeted drug has also downsides of having side effects and allow less flexibility. But, so far there was no side effects reported in Sorafenib or stutent.