ATC Group: L01EE Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors

Binimetinib is an ATP-uncompetitive, reversible inhibitor of the kinase activity of mitogen-activated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 (MEK1) and MEK2. MEK proteins are upstream regulators of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway, which promotes cellular proliferation. Binimetinib inhibits activation of MEK by BRAF and inhibits MEK kinase activity.

Cobimetinib is a reversible, selective, allosteric, oral inhibitor that blocks the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by targeting the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) 1 and MEK 2 which results in inhibition of phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and ERK 2. Therefore, cobimetinib blocks the cell proliferation induced by the MAPK pathway through inhibition of the MEK1/2 signalling node.

Selumetinib is a selective inhibitor of mitogen activated protein kinase kinases 1 and 2 (MEK ½). Selumetinib blocks MEK activity and the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway. Therefore, MEK inhibition can block the proliferation and survival of tumour cells in which the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway is activated.

Trametinib is a reversible, highly selective, allosteric inhibitor of mitogen-activated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 (MEK1) and MEK2 activation and kinase activity. In melanoma and other cancers, this pathway is often activated by mutated forms of BRAF which activates MEK. Trametinib inhibits activation of MEK by BRAF and inhibits MEK kinase activity.