Drugs
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Novartis has developed oral and intravenous formulations of panobinostat (Farydak(®)), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, for the treatment of cancer. HDACs have important roles in maintaining chromatin structure and in regulating gene expression, including that of tumour suppressor genes, and thus represent valid targets in the search for cancer therapeutics. ⋯ Panobinostat is in various stages of clinical development worldwide for a range of haematological and solid tumours. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of panobinostat leading to this first approval for multiple myeloma.
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The discovery of immune inhibitory checkpoints has revolutionized the approach to the systemic treatment of cancer. The programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitory checkpoint, in particular, has played a key role in understanding how certain cancers can evade immune surveillance. ⋯ In this review, we discuss the role of the PD-1 pathway in the immune system and the anti-cancer mechanism of action of inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. We also review the efficacy and safety data of currently approved and in-development anti-PD-1 agents, and explore the next steps to further improve patient outcomes.