Masitinib (Ab1010) ( CAS: 790299-79-5)

Masitinib is a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of mast cell tumors in animals, specifically dogs. Since its introduction in November 2008 it has been distributed under the commercial name Masivet. It has been available in Europe since the second part of 2009. In theUSAit is distributed under the name Kinavet and has been available for veterinaries since 2011.

Masitinib is being studied for several human conditions including cancers. It is used in Europe to fight orphan diseases.

Mechanism of action

Masitinib inhibits the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit which is displayed by various types of tumour. It also inhibits the platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR).

Detailed description

Masitinib is a competitive inhibitor against ATP at concentrations ≤500 nM. Masitinib also potently inhibits recombinant PDGFR and the intracellular kinase Lyn, and to a lesser extent, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. In contrast, Masitinib demonstrates weak inhibition of Abl and c-Fms. Masitinib more strongly inhibits degranulation, cytokine production, and bone marrow mast cell migration than imatinib. In Ba/F3 cells expressing human wild-type Kit, Masitinib inhibits SCF (stem cell factor)-induced cell proliferation with an IC50 of 150 nM, while the IC50 for inhibition of IL-3-stimulated proliferation is at approximately >10 μM. In Ba/F3 cells expressing PDGFRα, Masitinib inhibits PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation and PDGFRα tyrosine phosphorylation with IC50 of 300 nM. Masitinib also causes inhibition of SCF-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of human Kit in mastocytoma cell-lines and BMMC. Masitinib inhibits Kit gain-of-function mutants, including V559D mutant and Δ27 mouse mutant with IC50 of 3 and 5 nM in Ba/F3 cells. Masitinib inhibits the cell proliferation of mastocytoma cell lines including HMC-1α155 and FMA3 with IC50 of 10 and 30 nM, respectively.Masitinib inhibits cell growth and PDGFR phosphorylation in two novel ISS cell lines, which suggest that Masitinib displays activity against both primary and metastatic ISS cell line and may aid in the clinical management of ISS.