lenvatinib + invariant natural killer T cells

This combination therapy consists of lenvatinib, an oral multi-kinase inhibitor, and invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, a specialized cell therapy. Lenvatinib acts by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR1-3), fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1-4), and other kinases like PDGFRα, KIT, and RET, thereby blocking tumor angiogenesis and proliferation. iNKT cells are a unique population of innate-like T cells that express a semi-invariant T-cell receptor (TCR) capable of recognizing glycolipid antigens presented by the MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. Upon activation, iNKT cells rapidly produce large quantities of cytokines (such as IFN-γ and IL-4) and exert direct cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. The combination is being developed by Beijing You'an Hospital and Capital Medical University for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with the rationale that lenvatinib may enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of iNKT cells by modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Other names

lenvatinib plus iNKT cellsiNKT cell therapy and lenvatinib