Definition

An orally bioavailable inhibitor of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOX) 1 and 4, with potential anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and antineoplastic activities. Upon oral administration, setanaxib targets, binds to and inhibits the activity of NOX1 and NOX4. This inhibits NOX1- and NOX4- mediated signal transduction pathways, thereby reducing inflammation and fibrosis. By targeting NOX4-overexpressing cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), setanaxib may also inhibit myofibroblastic activation and enhance both the penetration of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and antitumor T-cell immune responses. The NOX enzymes NOX1 and NOX4 primarily produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays important roles in cellular signaling processes that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, and inflammation and fibrosis.