The metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) pipeline is expanding, with several companies developing novel therapies to address this aggressive form of breast cancer. A recent report highlights over 12 drugs in development from more than 10 companies, each employing unique strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Trilaciclib: Protecting Bone Marrow During Chemotherapy
G1 Therapeutics' trilaciclib, a first-in-class CDK4/6 inhibitor, is currently in Phase III clinical trials. Administered intravenously, trilaciclib is designed to protect bone marrow and immune system function during cytotoxic chemotherapy. The PRESERVE 2 trial is a global, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating trilaciclib in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic TNBC. Patients receive either trilaciclib or a placebo before gemcitabine and carboplatin, administered intravenously on days 1 and 8 of 21-day cycles, continuing until disease progression.
Olinvacimab: Targeting Angiogenesis
PharmAbcine/Merck are developing olinvacimab, an anti-angiogenic antibody that neutralizes the VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway. This mechanism inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by blocking the binding of VEGF ligands to VEGFR2, thus disrupting the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors. Olinvacimab is currently in Phase II clinical trials for mTNBC, including a combination study with pembrolizumab and a monotherapy study for bevacizumab-nonresponding recurrent glioblastoma multiforme patients.
Other Emerging Therapies and Key Players
The mTNBC pipeline includes a variety of therapeutic approaches, with companies like Daiichi Sankyo, Rhizen Pharmaceuticals, CytoDyn, and SBGBL also contributing to the development of new treatments. Key products in development include datopotamab deruxtecan, tenalisib, and leronlimab. These therapies are in various stages of clinical development, from Phase I to Phase III, and utilize different routes of administration, including intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral. The molecule types range from monoclonal antibodies to small molecules, reflecting the diverse strategies being explored to combat mTNBC.
