“Based on the biologic properties of tebentafusp, a fusion protein, genetic toxicology studies are not warranted.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 45Source ↗
Carcinogenicity
Not conducted (advanced cancer indication)
“Carcinogenicity studies were not warranted for the proposed indication.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 46Source ↗
Instead of carcinogenicity
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
Instead of genotoxicity
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
DRG histopathology
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
Reproductive & developmental
Not conducted (no relevant species); weight-of-evidence; FDA concluded possible fetal harm to skin, inner ear, eye
“Due to the specificity for human targets, embryo-fetal development (EFD) studies cannot be conducted in nonclinical species. Therefore, a weight of evidence assessment was conducted to evaluate the risk of tebentafusp administration on pregnancy and embryo-fetal development.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 46Source ↗
Safety pharmacology
Not conducted (no relevant species; in vitro only)
“Therefore, no specific safety pharmacology studies were conducted.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 42Source ↗
Genotox: Ames
Not conducted (ICH S6)
“Genetic toxicology studies were not conducted for tebentafusp in accordance with the ICH S6 guidance.”
Not conducted (not warranted for the advanced-cancer indication)
“The FDA’s Assessment: Carcinogenicity studies were not warranted for the proposed indication.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 46Source ↗
Carcinogenicity timing
Not required for the proposed indication
“The FDA’s Assessment: Carcinogenicity studies were not warranted for the proposed indication.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 46Source ↗
hERG / QT
Not conducted (no relevant species; human-specific protein)
“Safety pharmacology studies were not conducted for tebentafusp. Tebentafusp is a human specific protein and does not bind proteins from nonhuman species.”