FGFR-targeted therapeutics: clinical activity, mechanisms of resistance and new directions

Masuko Katoh, Yohann Loriot, Giovanni Brandi, Simona Tavolari, Zev A. Wainberg, Masaru Katoh

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    15 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling via FGF receptors (FGFR1–4) orchestrates fetal development and contributes to tissue and whole-body homeostasis, but can also promote tumorigenesis. Various agents, including pan-FGFR inhibitors (erdafitinib and futibatinib), FGFR1/2/3 inhibitors (infigratinib and pemigatinib), as well as a range of more-specific agents, have been developed and several have entered clinical use. Erdafitinib is approved for patients with urothelial carcinoma harbouring FGFR2/3 alterations, and futibatinib and pemigatinib are approved for patients with cholangiocarcinoma harbouring FGFR2 fusions and/or rearrangements. Clinical benefit from these agents is in part limited by hyperphosphataemia owing to off-target inhibition of FGFR1 as well as the emergence of resistance mutations in FGFR genes, activation of bypass signalling pathways, concurrent TP53 alterations and possibly epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related isoform switching. The next generation of small-molecule inhibitors, such as lirafugratinib and LOXO-435, and the FGFR2-specific antibody bemarituzumab are expected to have a reduced risk of hyperphosphataemia and the ability to overcome certain resistance mutations. In this Review, we describe the development and current clinical role of FGFR inhibitors and provide perspective on future research directions including expansion of the therapeutic indications for use of FGFR inhibitors, combination of these agents with immune-checkpoint inhibitors and the application of novel technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)312-329
    Number of pages18
    JournalNature Reviews Clinical Oncology
    Volume21
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2024

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