Tebentafusp is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a certain type of advanced melanoma (a type of skin cancer) that cannot be removed by surgery, or has spread to other parts of the body. Tebentafusp works by helping your own immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It is a combination of two medicines: tebentafusp alfa and tebentafusp armodafinil. Tebentafusp is currently being investigated for the treatment of advanced metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer.
Tebentafusp, sold under the brand name Kimmtrak, is a first-of-its-kind immunotherapy medication used to treat a specific type of eye cancer called uveal melanoma. Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the melanocytes, or pigment-producing cells, of the eye.
Tebentafusp works by directing the body's immune system to attack cancer cells. It is a bispecific T-cell engager, which means it has two parts: one part that binds to a specific protein on cancer cells (glycoprotein 100, or gp100) and another part that binds to a protein on immune system T cells (CD3). By binding to both of these proteins, tebentafusp brings the T cells and cancer cells together, allowing the T cells to kill the cancer cells.
Tebentafusp is only approved for use in adults with uveal melanoma who have a specific genetic marker called HLA-A*02:01. This genetic marker is found in about half of all people with uveal melanoma. Tebentafusp is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion once a week.
Tebentafusp can cause serious side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a condition that can cause fever, chills, fatigue, and low blood pressure. Other common side effects of tebenfusp include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and rash.
Tebentafusp is a promising new treatment for uveal melanoma, but it is important to be aware of the potential risks and side effects before starting treatment.