Libtayo (cemiplimab) vs Tabrecta (capmatinib)

Libtayo (cemiplimab) is a monoclonal antibody used as an immunotherapy for certain types of cancer, such as advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer, by targeting and blocking the PD-1 receptor on T cells to enhance the immune response against cancer cells. Tabrecta (capmatinib) is a kinase inhibitor specifically designed to target and inhibit the activity of the MET gene in cases where there are specific mutations (METex14 skipping mutations), and it is approved for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have these genetic alterations. When deciding between these two medications, it is crucial to consider the specific type of cancer and its genetic profile, as Libtayo is appropriate for a broader range of cancers with a focus on immunotherapy, while Tabrecta is tailored for a specific subset of NSCLC patients with a particular genetic mutation.

Difference between Libtayo and Tabrecta

Metric	Libtayo (cemiplimab)	Tabrecta (capmatinib)
Generic name	Cemiplimab	Capmatinib
Indications	Used for the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) or locally advanced CSCC who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation.	Used for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have a mutation that leads to MET exon 14 skipping as detected by an FDA-approved test.
Mechanism of action	A monoclonal antibody that targets the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1, thereby enhancing the immune response against cancer cells.	A small molecule that selectively inhibits the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase, which is implicated in the growth and metastasis of some cancers.
Brand names	Libtayo	Tabrecta
Administrative route	Injection (intravenous)	Oral
Side effects	Fatigue, rash, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and nausea.	Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, edema, decreased appetite, and dyspnea.
Contraindications	Patients with severe hypersensitivity to cemiplimab or any of its excipients.	Patients with severe hypersensitivity to capmatinib or any of its excipients.
Drug class	Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody	MET inhibitor
Manufacturer	Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Efficacy

Libtayo (Cemiplimab) Efficacy in Lung Cancer

Libtayo (cemiplimab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody that has been designed to target and block the PD-1 receptor on T-cells. By doing so, it enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer. In the context of lung cancer, specifically non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Libtayo has shown significant efficacy. The FDA approved Libtayo for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression, as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 aberrations. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Libtayo can improve overall survival and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy in this patient population.

The pivotal trial for Libtayo's approval in NSCLC was a Phase 3 study that included patients with advanced NSCLC with ≥50% PD-L1 expression. The results indicated that Libtayo reduced the risk of death by 32% compared to chemotherapy. The median overall survival was significantly longer for patients treated with Libtayo compared to those who received chemotherapy. These findings underscore the efficacy of Libtayo as a monotherapy in treating advanced NSCLC with high PD-L1 expression.

Tabrecta (Capmatinib) Efficacy in Lung Cancer

Tabrecta (capmatinib) is a kinase inhibitor that targets the MET gene, specifically the mutated form known as METex14 skipping mutation. This mutation can lead to cancer growth and spread. Tabrecta is specifically indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have a mutation leading to METex14 skipping, as detected by an FDA-approved test. The approval of Tabrecta was based on the overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) seen in clinical trials.

The efficacy of Tabrecta was evaluated in a multicenter, non-randomized, open-label, multi-cohort study. The results showed that Tabrecta achieved an ORR of 68% in treatment-naive patients and 41% in previously treated patients. The median DOR was also noteworthy, with 12.6 months in treatment-naive patients and 9.7 months in previously treated patients. These findings demonstrate that Tabrecta is an effective treatment option for NSCLC patients with METex14 skipping mutation, providing a targeted therapy that can lead to a significant reduction in tumor burden and a durable response.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Libtayo

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Health Canada

Tabrecta

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Japan

Access Libtayo or Tabrecta today

If Libtayo or Tabrecta are not approved or available in your country (e.g. due to supply issues), you can access them via Everyone.org.

Buy Libtayo

Buy Tabrecta

How it works

Make an enquiry

Choose the medicine you want to buy, answer a couple of questions, and upload your prescription to speed things up. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Breeze through the paperwork

We'll guide you through the required documents for importing unapproved medicine, ensuring you have all the necessary information.

Get a personalized quote

We’ll prepare a quote for you, including medicine costs and any shipping, administrative, or import fees that may apply.

Receive your medicine

Accept the quote and we’ll handle the rest - sourcing and safely delivering your medicine.

Some text on this page has been automatically generated. Speak to your physician before you start a new treatment or medication.

Let's talk

If you have any questions, call us or send us a message through WhatsApp or email: