Masitinib

Masitinib (AB1010) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting stem cell factor receptor (c-kit) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor. It can enhance the antiproliferative effects of gemcitabine (GEM) in human pancreatic cancer cells. It potently inhibited human and murine KIT with activating mutations in the juxtamembrane domain. In vivo, masitinib (AB1010) blocked tumour growth in mice with subcutaneous grafts of Ba/F3 cells expressing a juxtamembrane KIT mutant. Masitinib, a c-kit and PDGF-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may represent an innovative avenue of treatment in corticosteroid-dependent asthma.