danvatirsen

Danvatirsen is an investigational antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a protein implicated in cancer cell survival, proliferation, immune evasion, and tumor progression. By binding to STAT3 mRNA, danvatirsen prevents its translation, leading to reduced levels of the STAT3 protein. This suppression induces apoptosis in tumor cells and decreases their growth. Danvatirsen has demonstrated antitumor activity as monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors such as durvalumab. It is being developed for multiple solid tumors and hematologic malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, malignant ascites, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), among others. The drug was originally developed by Isis Pharmaceuticals (now Ionis Pharmaceuticals) with AstraZeneca as a key development partner; other collaborators include Acerta Pharma and Flamingo Therapeutics. Danvatirsen uses Generation 2.5 antisense chemistry for increased potency over earlier antisense drugs. It is being studied both alone and in combination with immunotherapies such as PD-L1 inhibitors due to its ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment by reducing immunosuppressive signaling through inhibition of STAT3.

Other names

danvatirsenbeclanorsen