Clivatuzumab tetraxetan

Clivatuzumab tetraxetan is a radioimmunotherapy agent that was under development for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. It is a monoclonal antibody that is linked to a radioisotope, specifically yttrium-90. The monoclonal antibody targets a protein called MUC5AC, which is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells. The radioisotope delivers a dose of radiation to the cancer cells, causing them to die.

Development and Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]

Clivatuzumab tetraxetan was developed by Immunomedics, a biopharmaceutical company based in the United States. The drug entered clinical trials in the early 2000s. Initial results from phase I trials showed promise, with some patients experiencing a reduction in tumor size. However, subsequent phase II and III trials did not meet their primary endpoints, and development of the drug was discontinued in 2016.

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

The mechanism of action of clivatuzumab tetraxetan involves two key components: the monoclonal antibody and the radioisotope. The monoclonal antibody, clivatuzumab, binds to the MUC5AC protein on the surface of pancreatic cancer cells. This allows the radioisotope, yttrium-90, to be delivered directly to the cancer cells. The radiation emitted by yttrium-90 causes DNA damage in the cancer cells, leading to cell death.

Potential Applications[edit | edit source]

Despite the discontinuation of its development, clivatuzumab tetraxetan has been the subject of ongoing research. Some studies suggest that it may have potential applications in the treatment of other types of cancer that overexpress MUC5AC, such as gastric cancer and lung cancer. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.