Pharmacological characteristics and clinical effectiveness of Futibatinib (Lytgobi_® Tablets), a covalently-binding, irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor

Abstract

Futibatinib (Lytgobi_® Tablets 4 ‍mg), a novel fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor developed by Taiho Pharmaceutical using the Cysteinomix Drug Discovery Platform, was approved in Japan in June 2023 for the treatment of patients with unresectable biliary tract cancer with FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement that had progressed after at least one prior chemotherapy. Futibatinib covalently binds to the cysteine residue in the FGFR kinase domain P-loop structure and is believed to exert antitumor activity by selectively and irreversibly inhibiting FGFR1–4. Many FGFR inhibitors under development are ATP-competitive; however, futibatinib is the first approved covalently-binding irreversible FGFR inhibitor. It inhibits cell proliferation by inhibiting FGFR phosphorylation and its downstream signaling pathways in cancer cell lines. Futibatinib showed inhibitory activity against a wider range of FGFR mutants than ATP-competitive, reversible FGFR inhibitors and inhibited cell proliferation without significantly deviating from the inhibitory effect on wild-type FGFR. Futibatinib showed antitumor efficacy in mice subcutaneously transplanted with human tumor cell lines driven by FGFR. The international phase 2 study (TAS-120-101) was conducted in patients with refractory intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement. The overall response rate was 41.7%, showing consistent efficacy regardless of co-occurring genomic alterations. Although some typical FGFR inhibitor-related side effects were observed, they were manageable and futibatinib had a good safety profile. Futibatinib is an important drug for biliary tract cancer, which has limited treatment options; its development is underway for other types of cancer, and it is expected to benefit more patients.