Lutris Pharma is developing the topical B-Raf inhibitor LUT014, a proprietary small molecule allowing administration of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors to patients without the interruptions caused by typical cutaneous side effects.
Leveraging the paradoxical effect of B-Raf inhibitors, LUT014 decreases dermal toxicities associated with EGFR inhibitors, thus reducing acneiform lesions associated with such therapy. The technology is based on the paradoxical effect of B-Raf inhibitors on wild-type epithelial cells, thus overriding MAP kinase pathway inhibition. By reversing the inhibitory effect of EGFR inhibitors on downstream proteins in the skin cells, LUT014 reduces dose-limiting acneiform lesions associated with EGFR inhibitors.
Following FDA approval of IND, Lutris initiated a phase-1 study of the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of LUT014 topically applied once a day for four weeks in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with EGFR inhibitor-induced acneiform lesions.
Lutris Pharma was established with a vision of improving the effectiveness of anticancer therapy as well as the quality of life for patients being treated with EGFR inhibitors.