Abstract
Talabostat mesilate is an orally active, specific inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidases, including tumor-associated fibroblast activation protein. However, by an independent mechanism, talabostat also stimulates the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines to engender a tumor-specific host immune response, thus giving it a unique dual mechanism of action. In clinical trials, talabostat has demonstrated significant activity, including achieving complete responses in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and malignant melanoma.
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank JF Tomera, Director of Clinical Development at Point Therapeutics of Boston, Massachusetts for assimilating details contained within the manuscript.