New Protein Degrader Drugs Target Hard-to-Treat Cancers
These new therapies help patients with specific cancers by destroying disease-driving proteins.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Cancer
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New protein degrader therapies are transforming cancer treatment by targeting proteins previously considered untreatable. These drugs have recently secured FDA approvals for breast cancer and multiple myeloma, offering new options for patients with specific genetic mutations.
Why it matters
Traditional medicine has historically struggled to reach approximately 85% of disease-driving proteins, leaving many cancers without targeted options. Protein degraders offer a breakthrough by repurposing the body's internal waste disposal system to eliminate these previously elusive targets.
Clinical trial results demonstrate significant benefits for new protein degrader therapies, including 18 months of disease-free survival for mezigdomide users compared to 8 months for those on standard treatments. While promising, the long-term clinical durability of these agents is still being evaluated as over 200 candidates remain under study worldwide.
The players
Arvinas
A biotechnology firm focused on developing targeted protein degradation therapies.
Pfizer
A pharmaceutical company that collaborates on cancer treatment development.
Rigel Pharmaceuticals
A company specializing in small-molecule drug development for oncology and immunology.
Bristol Myers Squibb
A global biopharmaceutical company that produces treatments for hematological cancers.
Nurix Therapeutics
A clinical-stage company researching protein modulation for cancer and inflammatory diseases.
The details
Protein degraders function by hijacking a cell's natural recycling machinery to flag and destroy specific disease-causing proteins. Some of these agents, known as molecular glues, act by bridging the gap between a target disease protein and an enzyme responsible for waste disposal. This mechanism allows for the therapeutic destruction of proteins that lack the physical binding sites required by traditional small-molecule drugs.
Timeline
1950s: Thalidomide was initially developed.
1998: Scientists discovered the technology behind Protac drugs.
2021-2026: More than $5 billion in industry deals for protein degraders occurred.
May 2026: The FDA approved Veppanu for breast cancer patients.
August 2026: Bristol Myers Squibb received FDA approval for Zenbexus.
Health Landscape
The rise of protein degraders builds on the fundamental discovery of Protac technology, which first emerged in 1998. This current wave of FDA-approved therapies marks a critical shift from experimental research to the clinical delivery of treatments for previously undruggable cancer targets.
Patients with specific cancer diagnoses may soon have access to a new class of targeted therapies that operate differently than traditional chemotherapy. It is worth discussing with your oncologist whether new protein-based treatments are appropriate for your specific genetic mutation and treatment history.
The takeaway
Protein degraders represent a major shift in how we treat complex diseases by using the cell's own waste system. Patients should ask their care team about emerging clinical trials and whether current FDA-approved options match their specific genetic profile.
What happens next
BeOne Medicines expects to report results from its BTK protein degrader trial in 2028, followed by Nurix Therapeutics in 2029.
Further reading
For more on the current standard of care and emerging options, visit our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hindustan Times.
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