DEP-SN38 (Starpharma)

DEP-SN38 is a clinical-stage dendrimer-drug conjugate (DDC) developed by Starpharma using its proprietary DEP® nanoparticle platform. The drug consists of a PEGylated polylysine dendrimer scaffold conjugated to SN-38, the potent active metabolite of the chemotherapy agent irinotecan. By utilizing a hydrolytically labile linker, DEP-SN38 provides controlled release of SN-38, which acts as a topoisomerase I inhibitor to disrupt DNA replication in cancer cells. This nanoparticle formulation is designed to enhance tumor targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and bypass the need for hepatic conversion of irinotecan, thereby reducing systemic toxicities such as severe diarrhea and neutropenia. It is currently being investigated in Phase I/II trials for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, including colorectal and platinum-resistant ovarian cancers, both as a monotherapy and in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin.

Other names

DEP irinotecan