🔆 VEPDEGESTRANT – World's First PROTAC Drug Approved
📌 Why in News?
The U.S. FDA has approved Vepdegestrant, the world's first PROTAC (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera)-based drug, marking a major breakthrough in targeted cancer therapy.
📖 Key Highlights
🔹 What is Vepdegestrant?
- World's first approved PROTAC-based drug.
- Designed for targeted protein degradation rather than simply blocking disease-causing proteins.
- Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
🔹 Developed By
- Arvinas Inc.
- Pfizer
🔹 Indication
Used to treat:
- ESR1-mutated
- ER-positive (Estrogen Receptor Positive)
- HER2-negative
- Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer
⚙️ How Does It Work?
Unlike conventional drugs that block harmful proteins, Vepdegestrant uses PROTAC technology.
Working Mechanism
- Identifies the disease-causing protein.
- Recruits the cell's ubiquitin-proteasome system.
- Tags the harmful protein for destruction.
- The protein is completely degraded and removed from the cell.
👉 This allows repeated destruction of disease-causing proteins, making the drug more effective.
⭐ Key Features
- ✅ World's first approved PROTAC drug
- ✅ Oral, once-daily tablet
- ✅ Catalytic action—one molecule can degrade multiple target proteins
- ✅ Improved Progression-Free Survival (PFS) compared to Fulvestrant in Phase III clinical trials
- ✅ Opens new possibilities for treating previously "undruggable" proteins
📚 Static GK Linkage
What is PROTAC?
PROTAC (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera) is a technology that destroys unwanted proteins inside cells by utilizing the body's natural ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Ubiquitin-Proteasome System
- Acts as the cell's protein recycling and waste disposal system.
- Removes damaged, abnormal, or unnecessary proteins.
🧠 Memory Trick
PROTAC = PROtein TArgeted Cleaner
👉 PROTAC cleans away harmful proteins instead of merely blocking them.
🎯 TNPSC Prelims Facts
- First approved PROTAC drug → Vepdegestrant
- Approved by → U.S. FDA
- Developed by → Arvinas Inc. & Pfizer
- Used for → ESR1-mutated ER-positive HER2-negative advanced/metastatic breast cancer
- Technology → Targeted Protein Degradation (PROTAC)
📝 PYQ Link
Topic: Biotechnology | Human Health & Diseases | Modern Drug Technologies
Questions related to biotechnology, cancer therapies, and protein degradation mechanisms are frequently asked in TNPSC Group I, Group II, and Group IV examinations.
🎯 AURA Quiz Zone
1. Vepdegestrant is the world's first approved drug based on which technology?
A) CRISPR
B) PROTAC
C) mRNA
D) Monoclonal Antibody
Answer: ✅ B
2. Vepdegestrant has been approved primarily for treating:
A) Lung Cancer
B) Blood Cancer
C) Breast Cancer
D) Liver Cancer
Answer: ✅ C
3. The PROTAC technology works by:
A) Blocking DNA replication
B) Destroying target proteins using the ubiquitin-proteasome system
C) Killing bacteria directly
D) Producing antibodies
Answer: ✅ B
4. Which companies jointly developed Vepdegestrant?
A) Moderna & BioNTech
B) Pfizer & Arvinas
C) Roche & Novartis
D) AstraZeneca & Merck
Answer: ✅ B
5. Vepdegestrant is administered as:
A) Injection
B) Vaccine
C) Oral once-daily tablet
D) Nasal Spray
Answer: ✅ C
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