gemcitabine + bexarotene

Gemcitabine + bexarotene is a combination therapy investigated for the treatment of progressive or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). This regimen, evaluated in the Phase II GemBex trial sponsored by University College London, combines the cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine with the biological activity of bexarotene. Gemcitabine is a pyrimidine antimetabolite small molecule that inhibits DNA synthesis by substituting for cytidine during DNA replication and inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase, leading to S-phase arrest and apoptosis. Bexarotene is a synthetic retinoid that selectively activates retinoid X receptors (RXR), which function as transcription factors regulating genes involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Although both agents have shown efficacy as monotherapies in CTCL, the GemBex trial found that the combination achieved an objective response rate of 31%, which did not meet the predefined efficacy targets for further development in this specific combination format.

Other names

gemcitabine and bexarotenegemcitabine hydrochloride + bexarotene