The role and efficacy of cimepilimab

Cemiplimab (Cemiplimab) is a programmed death receptor-1 blocking antibody used to treat cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Inhibits tumor growth through an immune-mediated mechanism. Cimepilimab promotes T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses by blocking the negative regulator programmed death-1 (PD-1) of T cells. Cimepilimab targets PD-1 with high affinity and potency. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, blocking PD-1 activity with cimepilimab reduced tumor growth

T cells mediate anti-tumor activity after activation through antigen receptor signaling and CD28 costimulatory signaling. T cell proliferation and activation are regulated by a number of T cell immune regulatory checkpoints, including programmed death-1 (PD-1). PD-1 is an inhibitory coreceptor mainly expressed on the surface of T cells to block T cell activation. Its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, bind withPD-1 and activate downstream signaling cascades, ultimately leading to the inhibition of T cell functions, such as T cell proliferation, cytokine production and cytotoxicity. The PD-1 receptor signaling pathway serves to maintain tolerance and regulate any ineffective or harmful immune responses; however, PD-1 signaling can also attenuate immune responses in situations where such protection is required, such as autoimmune diseases and malignancies.

As part of the tumor adaptive immune response,PD-L1 and PD-L2 are expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and certain types of tumor cells. PD-1 is also upregulated in some cancers, hindering T cell-mediated anti-tumor activity. Cimepilimab is a human PD-1 blocking antibody that binds to PD-1 and blocks its interaction with its ligands. By relieving PD-1-mediated inhibition of T cell activity, cimepilimab enhances T cell cytotoxicity against tumors.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB14707