denifanstat

Denifanstat is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FASN), the key enzyme in the de novo lipogenesis pathway that converts dietary sugars into palmitate, a saturated fatty acid. By inhibiting FASN, denifanstat blocks the synthesis of palmitate required for tumor cell growth and survival, leading to reduced cell signaling, induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibition of proliferation in susceptible cells. This mechanism underlies its antineoplastic activity and its potential to improve liver fat content, inflammation, insulin resistance, and fibrosis. Denifanstat is being developed primarily for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate to advanced fibrosis (stages F2-F3), but has also been investigated in various cancers and acne. The drug has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis[1][3][4][5][6][7].

Brand names

Denifanstat

Other names

denifanstat