apalutamide + cetrelimab

Apalutamide + cetrelimab is an experimental combination therapy under clinical investigation for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Apalutamide is an oral nonsteroidal anti-androgen that inhibits androgen receptor (AR) signaling, thereby blocking testosterone-driven prostate cancer cell proliferation. Cetrelimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor, acting as an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Together, the combination is hypothesized to both inhibit tumor growth through androgen pathway blockade and enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack tumor cells by relieving PD-1 mediated immunosuppression. The combination is administered as oral apalutamide and intravenous cetrelimab, developed by Janssen. It is being evaluated in clinical trials for patients with advanced, previously treated, or resistant forms of prostate cancer.[2][3][4][5][6][9][10]

Brand names

Erleada + cetrelimab

Other names

apalutamide plus cetrelimab