9 Things to Know About the Axl Inhibitor Bemcentinib (R428)

Cancer has always been an important subject of research, as scientists are constantly looking for ways to discover new treatment processes and develop better therapies. And, recently, they have been turning more and more towards targeted therapies, that is drugs that focus on specific molecules that drive cancer growth. Axl is one of the targets of those types of drugs, and it is basically a protein that is found on the surface of many different cells. When it is overactive, it can make cancer more aggressive, as well as resistant to treatment and much more likely to spread.

Here’s a study about Axl inhibitors in general: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9579923/

Clearly, since this is not exactly favorable, scientists have been searching for ways to sort of stop that process, and that is where Axl inhibitors come into play. Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor is actually an experimental drug that has been designed to block this protein. And it has drawn significant attention in cancer research, as well as beyond. Given that you are here, you are clearly curious to understand this inhibitor more thoroughly.

And, there are undeniably a lot of things that you should know about the Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor and the way it works, as well as why it is used. What we are going to do right now, thus, is provide you with a list of important things that you absolutely have to know here. That way, you will get much better acquainted with this particular inhibitor, understanding the mechanisms behind it, as well as figuring out why it is so important in the first place. So, without any further ado, let us get started.

Axl Comes from the TAM Receptor Family

To understand Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor, you first have to understand Axl. And, it is a member of the TAM receptor family, which are basically proteins that sit on the surface of cells and then transmit survival and growth signals when activated. In healthy cells, Axl helps regulate cell growth, survival, immune system balance, as well as clearance of dying cells. But, the trouble is that it tends to be overactive in many cancers, driving some harmful behaviors, such as uncontrolled cell growth, resistance to treatment, metastasis, as well as immune evasion.

Bemcentinib Is a Small Molecule Inhibitor

Now that you understand Axl, let us move on to talking more specifically about Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor. Basically, we are talking here about a small molecule inhibitor that actually blocks Axl activity. The goal of this substance is to target specifically those cancer cells that show abnormal Axl activity, while leaving normal cells less affected.

It Blocks the Axl Signaling Pathway

How does it work? In short, the purpose of Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor is to, as you may have guessed it, block the Axl signaling pathway. This is pretty straightforward, and I am sure you understand it clearly. Basically, it cuts off the cells’ survival signals.

It Makes Cancer Cells More Vulnerable to Treatment

What kind of an effect does the above have, then? Well, in the simplest words possible, it can make cancer cells more vulnerable to treatment. When those survival signals are blocked, chances are higher that the cancer cells will die, instead of surviving, dividing and growing. This, clearly, has a significant impact on the treatment process and the patient outcome.

It Increases the Immune System’s Chances of Fighting Cancer

But, the above is not the only method through which Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor helps fight cancer. In addition to making the cells more vulnerable to treatment, it also increases the immune system’s chances of fighting cancer. And, when the immune system is stronger, I suppose you understand that it gives people higher chances of fighting this disease and overcoming it.

It Is Studied for Various Types of Cancers

Now, you may be wondering what it is that this particular inhibitor is actually studied for. And, the truth is that it is studied for various types of cancers, and it plays a crucial role in many of them. For one thing, there is non-small lung cancer, which is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and a lot of patients eventually develop resistance to standard treatment options, such as, for example, EGFR inhibitors.

In addition to this, Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor is also studied for acute myeloid leukemia, as well as melanoma and other solid tumors. It is explored as an add-on treatment, and scientists are trying to determine if it can slow tumor progression. As you can see, thus, it is highly important in these studies, and it can definitely help in numerous treatment processes, so it is a good thing that it is studied so well.

It Is Studied Outside Oncology as Well

Apart from cancers, though, Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitoris studied for other types of applications as well. In other words, it is studied outside of oncology, and although more research is needed to confirm its role, the results are actually quite promising. For one thing, it has been tested as a potential treatment for COVID-19, as blocking Axl cells could limit the infection and reduce the inflammation. Additionally, it is also tested for fibrosis.

It Can Be Combined With Other Therapies

Another thing you should know is that Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor can be combined with other therapies. It has proven to work well alongside chemotherapy, immunotherapies, as well as targeted therapies. It actually enhances their effectiveness.

It Is Taken Orally

Finally, a good thing about this particular substance is that it is taken orally. This means that patients can take it home, instead of having to go to the hospital for infusion. It is clear that this offers great convenience, which is a huge plus. So, that is another great benefit that should be taken into consideration when Bemcentinib (R428) Axl inhibitor is thought of, because not having to go to the hospital on a daily basis is a huge advantage to people fighting cancer.