Biochem/Physiol  Actions

Preclinical data suggested that dacomitinib increases the inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase domain as well as the activity in cell lines harboring resistance mutations such as T790M. This activity further produced a significant reduction of EGFR phosphorylation and cell viability. In these studies, non-small cell lymphoma  cancer cell lines with L858R/T790M mutations where used and an IC50 of about 280 nmol/L was observed.[A40010] In clinical trials with patients with advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma who progressed after chemotherapy, there was an objective response rate of 5% with a progression-free survival of 2.8 months and an overall survival of 9.5 months. As well, phase I/II studies showed positive dacomitinib activity despite prior failure with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.[A40009] Phase III clinical trials (ARCHER 1050), done in patients suffering from advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma with EGFR-activating mutations, reported a significant improvement in progression-free survival when compared with gefitinib.[A40015]