Lurbinectedin is a novel anticancer drug that has shown promising results in the treatment of different cancer types. It is a selective inhibitor of RNA polymerase II, which is an essential enzyme for the transcription of DNA into RNA. By inhibiting RNA polymerase II, lurbinectedin interferes with the transcriptional process and induces DNA damage, ultimately leading to cancer cell death [3].
According to DrugPatentWatch [1], Lurbinectedin is currently indicated for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and relapsed platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. It has been granted orphan drug designation by the US FDA for the treatment of SCLC and pediatric cancer. Moreover, it has also been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic SCLC [2].
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology [3] evaluated the efficacy and safety of lurbinectedin in patients with advanced solid tumors, including ovarian, breast, and lung cancers. The study found that lurbinectedin had a favorable safety profile and showed promising antitumor activity in these patients. In particular, the drug demonstrated a response rate of 23.1% in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and a disease control rate of 75% in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Another study published in the Annals of Oncology [4] evaluated the efficacy of lurbinectedin in patients with advanced SCLC who had previously received platinum-based chemotherapy. The study found that lurbinectedin had a response rate of 35.2% and a disease control rate of 76.5% in these patients. The drug was well-tolerated, with the most common adverse events being myelosuppression, fatigue, and nausea.
In conclusion, Lurbinectedin has shown promising results in the treatment of different cancer types, including small cell lung cancer, relapsed platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and other advanced solid tumors. However, further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in larger patient populations and to determine its optimal use in combination with other anticancer agents.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LURBINECTEDIN
[2] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/lurbinectedin
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8165873/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7543696/