BMS-986408

BMS-986408 is an oral, small molecule inhibitor that targets diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKα) and zeta (DGKζ). It is being developed by Bristol Myers Squibb for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, including various forms of cancer such as head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. The drug acts as a dual DGKα/ζ inhibitor—these kinases are intracellular enzymes involved in lipid signaling pathways that regulate immune cell function. By inhibiting DGKα and DGKζ, BMS-986408 functions as an intracellular checkpoint inhibitor with the potential to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. As of April 2025, BMS-986408 is in Phase 1/2 clinical trials both as monotherapy and in combination with immunotherapies such as nivolumab or nivolumab plus ipilimumab[1][4][5][7][8].

Other names

DGK alpha/zeta inhibitor