Masitinib


Masitinib is a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of mast cell tumours 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. Masitinib has been studied for several human conditions including melanoma, multiple myeloma, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, mastocytosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

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, lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3.