Ivonescimab (Akeso)
Mechanism of action
From the NCI Drug Dictionary: A bispecific antibody directed against the negative immunoregulatory human cell receptor programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1; PDCD1; CD279) and the human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), with potential immune checkpoint inhibitory, anti-angiogenic and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, ivonescimab simultaneously targets and binds to both PD-1 expressed on certain T cells and VEGF expressed on tumor cells. The binding of ivonescimab to PD-1 prevents the activation of PD-1 by its ligands, programmed cell death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1; CD274) and/or 2 (PD-L2; CD273). This abrogates T-cell inhibition, activates antigen-specific T-lymphocytes and enhances cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated tumor cell lysis, which may lead to a reduction in tumor growth. The binding of ivonescimab to VEGF prevents binding of VEGF to its receptor VEGFR, abrogates VEGF/VEGFR-mediated signaling and may lead to the inhibition of vascular endothelial cell proliferation. The inhibition of tumor angiogenesis may further decrease tumor cell proliferation and prevent metastasis.
Diseases for which it is used
History of changes in NMPA indication
- 2024-05-24: Approved in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin, for the treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after TKI therapy. (Based on HARMONi-A)
Also known as
- Code names: AK-112, SMT-112
- Brand name: Akeso