The development history and background of Erdafitinib

Erdafitinib (Erdafitinib) is a targeted drug developed by the American pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies). It is mainly used to treat cancers related to FGFR gene mutations. As a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the development of erdafitinib began with in-depth research on the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathway. FGFR plays an important role in the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of tumor cells. Therefore, the development of drugs targeting this pathway has become one of the hot spots in cancer treatment research.

Johnson & Johnson realized early on that FGFR gene mutations are closely related to certain types of cancer (such as urothelial cancer, etc.), especially in the advanced stages of these cancers, where traditional treatments often have limited effects. Therefore, targeted drugs targeting FGFR mutations have become a new direction in cancer treatment.

During the research and development process, Johnson & Johnson successfully developed erdafitinib through a series of preclinical and clinical trials. This drug can selectively inhibit multiple subtypes of FGFR, especially FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3. It can effectively block the proliferation signals of tumor cells, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and delay disease progression. In 2019, erdafitinib was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of patients with FGFR gene mutations such as advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (Urothelial Carcinoma; bladder cancer).

The success of erdafitinib not only marks an important breakthrough in the field of targeted therapy, but also provides new hope for the treatment of other types of cancers related toFGFR mutations. With the accumulation of clinical data, the indications of erdafitinib may be further expanded, thereby bringing new treatment options to more cancer patients.

References：https://www.balversa.com/