Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
06:38

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis

Published on: September 12, 2019

Discovery and development of sorafenib: a multikinase inhibitor for treating cancer

Scott Wilhelm1, Christopher Carter, Mark Lynch

  • 1Department of Cancer Research, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp., West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA. scott.wilhelm.b@bayer.com

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|October 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, targets cancer pathways and vasculature. Its rapid development cycle highlights advancements in targeted cancer therapy discovery and drug approval processes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cancer aetiology knowledge has grown significantly since the 1980s molecular revolution.
  • Targeted therapies inhibiting cancer-specific pathways have been developed.
  • High-throughput screening technologies accelerate drug discovery and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the discovery and development of sorafenib (BAY 43-9006).
  • To highlight sorafenib as the first oral multikinase inhibitor targeting Raf.
  • To detail the drug's impact on tumor signaling and vasculature.

Main Methods:

  • Initial screening for a lead compound.
  • Utilizing rapid, high-throughput screening technologies.
  • Clinical trials including Phase I, leading to regulatory approval.

Main Results:

  • Sorafenib identified as an oral multikinase inhibitor targeting Raf.
  • Demonstrated effects on tumor signaling and vasculature.
  • Achieved FDA approval for advanced renal cell carcinoma in 11 years.

Conclusions:

  • Sorafenib represents a successful targeted therapy developed through advanced screening.
  • The drug's expedited development showcases efficient drug discovery and approval pipelines.
  • Sorafenib offers a new treatment option for advanced renal cell carcinoma.

More Related Videos

A Method for Screening and Validation of Resistant Mutations Against Kinase Inhibitors12:40

A Method for Screening and Validation of Resistant Mutations Against Kinase Inhibitors

Published on: December 7, 2014

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...