Drug class: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors Mechanism of Action Ceritinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that selectively targets anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a transmembrane receptor involved in cell growth and survival, as well as insulin‑like growth factor‑1 receptor (IGF‑1R), insulin receptor (InsR), and ROS1 (1, 2). By inhibiting ALK autophosphorylation, ceritinib disrupts downstream signaling pathways, particularly STAT3, thereby s

Drug class: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors Mechanism of Action Alectinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that selectively targets anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a transmembrane receptor protein involved in regulating cell growth. In ALK‑positive cancers, a chromosomal translocation fuses unrelated genes to form a mutant 80 kDa chimeric protein with uncontrolled tyrosine kinase activity. This leads to automated intermolecular transphosphory

Drug class: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist; monoclonal antibody (1) Mechanism of Action Tocilizumab binds to both soluble and membrane-bound interleukin-6 receptors (sIL-6R and mIL-6R), thereby blocking IL-6 signaling. IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by immune and other cells, including T cells, B cells, monocytes, and fibroblasts. By inhibiting IL-6 receptor-mediated signaling, tocilizumab reduces downstream inflammatory responses involved in immune-ce

Drug Class: Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6) Mechanism of Action Abemaciclib inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6), preventing them from promoting progression from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle. This can promote senescence, apoptosis, and reduced tumour size (1). Approved Indications Early breast cancer (1) Advanced or metastatic breast cancer (1) Mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer (1) Dosage and administration Combination ther

Drug class: T-cell co-stimulation modulators Mechanism of Action Abatacept is a T-cell co-stimulation modulator that binds to CD80/CD86, inhibiting interaction with the CD28 receptor on T cells. This interrupts co-stimulation and T-cell activation, inhibiting major pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically TNF-α, interferon-γ, and IL-2 (1). Approved Indications Adults with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1) Pediatric patients (≥2 years) with moderate to se

Drug class: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor; monoclonal antibody (1) Mechanism of Action Evolocumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to circulating PCSK9 and prevents it from binding to low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL-R) on hepatocytes. In general, PCSK9 promotes LDL-R degradation after low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is internalized, reducing the number of receptors available to remove LDL from the circulation. By inhibiting PCSK9, ev

Drug class: Hormone (recombinant human insulin or insulin analog) Mechanism of Action Insulin glargine (IGlr), a recombinant human insulin analog (21A-Gly-30Ba-L-Arg-30Bb-L-Arg-; HOE 901), helps regulate glucose metabolism. It binds to insulin receptors, a tyrosine kinase receptor, triggering a conformational change in the intracellular beta catalytic domains. This induces autophosphorylation and recruits docking proteins, including phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kin

Drug class: Direct, selective Factor Xa inhibitor (1,2) Mechanism of Action The coagulation cascade consists of two main pathways: the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The extrinsic pathway is activated when vascular injury exposes tissue factor (TF), which binds to and activates factor VII; the resulting TF–factor VIIa complex then activates factor X to factor Xa. The extrinsic pathway provides rapid initiation of coagulation (3). Vascular trauma triggers platelet activati

Drug class: Interleukin-17A antagonist (1) Mechanism of Action Secukinumab is a targeted biologic therapy designed to interrupt key pathways in inflammatory diseases. It works by binding to interleukin 17A (IL 17A), a cytokine central to the inflammatory process. By blocking IL 17A from interacting with its receptor on keratinocytes and other cell types, secukinumab neutralizes this signaling pathway. This inhibition reduces the downstream inflammatory cascade that drives pla

Drug class: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-L1 inhibitor) Mechanism of Action Atezolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks programmed death ligand 1 (PD L1). Normally, PD L1 binds to tumour-specific T cell receptors, suppressing immune activity and preventing tumour destruction (1,2). As an immune checkpoint inhibitor, atezolizumab reactivates the immune response by binding PD-L1 on cancer cell surfaces, promoting tumour cell elimination. It is approved for mu

Drug class: CDK4/6 inhibitor Mechanism of Action Interleukin 12 (IL 12) and interleukin 23 (IL 23) are key drivers of chronic inflammation. Ustekinumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody, targets the p40 subunit shared by IL 12 and IL 23 heterodimers. By blocking this subunit, ustekinumab prevents IL 12/IL 23 binding to the IL 12 receptor β1 (IL 12Rβ1) on immune cell surfaces. This inhibition disrupts downstream differentiation and activation of T hel

Drug class: CDK4/6 inhibitor Mechanism of Action Ribociclib is an orally administered, highly selective small molecule inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). It is approved in combination with other agents for the treatment of HR positive, HER2 negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer (1). Inside cells, CDK4/6 act as “ignition switches” for cell division. When bound to Cyclin D, they activate signaling that drives the cell cycle forward. In HR positive b

Drug class: GLP-1 RA Mechanism of Action Liraglutide is a human GLP-1 analogue that activates GLP-1 receptors, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite. This results in improved glycemic control (1). Approved Indications Type 2 diabetes mellitus (1) Cardiovascular risk reduction (1) Dosage and Administration Initial: 0.6 mg SC once daily for 1 week. Increase to 1.2 mg once daily, up to 1.8 m

Drug class: HER2-directed monoclonal antibody Mechanism of Action Pertuzumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the dimerization subdomain II of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It inhibits HER2 from forming heterodimers with other HER family receptors, particularly HER3, thereby blocking ligand-dependent signaling pathways involved in tumor cell proliferation and survival. Pertuzumab also mediates antibody-dependent cellular cyto

Drug class: DPP-4 Inhibitor Mechanism of Action Vildagliptin is an orally active, highly selective, and reversible dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor designed to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. Vildagliptin blocks the breakdown of incretin hormones, which prompts the pancreas to release more insulin when blood glucose is high and reduces liver sugar production. This elevation stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells while suppressing in

Drug class: SGLT2 inhibitor Mechanism of Action Empagliflozin inhibits the SGLT2 found in proximal tubules in the kidneys. It reduces renal reabsorption of filtered glucose and lowers the renal threshold for glucose, and thereby increases urinary glucose excretion (1). It also reduces sodium reabsorption, thereby enhancing tubuloglomerular feedback, lowering intraglomerular pressure, reducing cardiac pre- and afterload, and downregulating sympathetic activity (1). Approved In

Rosenstock J et al. conducted the PIONEER 3 trial to compare the effectiveness of oral Semaglutide against Sitagliptin in adult Type 2 diabetes patients who were not adequately controlled on Metformin alone or with sulfonylurea. This study robustly evaluated the impacts on HbA1c reduction and the changes in body weight from baseline (1). Study Summary About the Author Ms. Silpa Rani Gajavalli is a postgraduate in pharmaceutical science (M Pharmacy). She has a wealth of academ

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. In 2024, 589 million adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes, causing 3.4 million deaths and over US$1 trillion in health expenditure; prevalence is projected to reach 853 million by 2050 (1). Beyond hyperglycaemia, T2D is increasingly recognized as a complex, multisystem disorder associated with the cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic sy

Ovarian cancer is highly prevalent and accounts for high mortality rate among cancers relating to female reproductive system (1). As per the Global Cancer Statistics (2020), every year almost 24,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Most of the patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. Unfortunately, it is noted that 70% of patients treated with standard Platinum chemotherapy have recurrence of ovarian cancer within 18 to 28 months (1, 2). Challenges with recurrent ov

Cannon CP et al conducted a clinical study (PROVE IT TIMI 22) to assess the benefits of intensive statin therapy vs. moderate statin therapy in preventing death from any cause or major cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective is to establish the noninferiority of pravastatin vs atorvastatin. Study Summary About the Author Mrs. Purnima Reddy Katkuri is a scientific writer with 4+ years of experience in content development and medica