OncoSignal
Live from Open Targets Platform, fetched 2026-11-11 15:10 UTC. Every row links to its source record.

KEAP1 kelch like ECH associated protein 1

ENSG00000079999 · protein coding · Open Targets profile

Substrate-specific adapter of a BCR (BTB-CUL3-RBX1) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that regulates the response to oxidative stress by targeting NFE2L2/NRF2 for ubiquitination (PubMed:14585973, PubMed:15379550, PubMed:15572695, PubMed:15601839, PubMed:15983046, PubMed:37339955). KEAP1 acts as a key sensor of oxidative and electrophilic stress: in normal conditions, the BCR(KEAP1) complex mediates ubiquitination and degradation of NFE2L2/NRF2, a transcription factor regulating expression of many cytoprotective genes (PubMed:15601839, PubMed:16006525). In response to oxidative stress, different electrophile metabolites trigger non-enzymatic covalent modifications of highly reactive cysteine residues in KEAP1, leading to inactivate the ubiquitin ligase activity of the BCR(KEAP1) complex, promoting NFE2L2/NRF2 nuclear accumulation and expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes (PubMed:16006525, PubMed:17127771, PubMed:18251510, PubMed:19489739, PubMed:29590092). In response to selective autophagy, KEAP1 is sequestered in inclusion bodies following its interaction with SQSTM1/p62, leading to inactivation of the BCR(KEAP1) complex and activation of NFE2L2/NRF2 (PubMed:20452972). The BCR(KEAP1) complex also mediates ubiquitination of SQSTM1/p62, increasing SQSTM1/p62 sequestering activity and degradation (PubMed:28380357). The BCR(KEAP1) complex also targets BPTF and PGAM5 for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome (PubMed:15379550, PubMed:17046835). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:14585973, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15379550, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15572695, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15601839, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15983046, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16006525, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17046835, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17127771, ECO:0000269|PubMed:18251510, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19489739, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20452972, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28380357, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29590092, ECO:0000269|PubMed:37339955}.

2 of the 4 drugs recorded against KEAP1 are approved, and 1 more reached Phase 3

Each band is a group of drugs. It runs from the kind of drug on the left to the furthest stage that drug has reached in any disease on the right. Thicker bands mean more drugs.

2 small molecule drugs at Approved: DIROXIMEL FUMARATE, MONOMETHYL FUMARATE1 small molecule drug at Phase 3: BARDOXOLONE METHYL1 small molecule drug at Withdrawn: DIMETHYL FUMARATESmall molecule 4Approved 2Phase 3 1Withdrawn 1

Approved bands are highlighted. Withdrawn means the drug was pulled from the market or from development. A combined phase counts as the later one (Phase 1/2 is shown as Phase 2). Hover a band for the drug names. Source: Open Targets Platform, fetched live.

In 14 of 15 cancers, the evidence for KEAP1 comes mainly from mutations found in tumours

Each row is a cancer, strongest overall evidence first. The two dots show how strong the inherited (germline) and tumour-mutation (somatic) evidence is; the line between them is the gap.

Inherited (germline) variantsMutations in tumours (somatic)
00.250.50.751lung adenocarcinomalung adenocarcinomalung adenocarcinoma: somatic 0.80non-small cell lung carcinomanon-small cell lung carcinomanon-small cell lung carcinoma: somatic 0.71squamous cell lung carcinomasquamous cell lung carcinomasquamous cell lung carcinoma: somatic 0.67hepatocellular carcinomahepatocellular carcinomahepatocellular carcinoma: somatic 0.60lung carcinomalung carcinomalung carcinoma: somatic 0.61anaplastic lung carcinomaanaplastic lung carcinomaanaplastic lung carcinoma: somatic 0.61goiter, multinodular 1, with or without…goiter, multinodular 1, with or without Sertoli-Leydig cell tumorsgoiter, multinodular 1, with or without Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors: germline 0.61pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine car…pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinomapulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: somatic 0.61melanomamelanomamelanoma: somatic 0.46head and neck squamous cell carcinomahead and neck squamous cell carcinomahead and neck squamous cell carcinoma: somatic 0.46head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: germline 0.18small cell lung carcinomasmall cell lung carcinomasmall cell lung carcinoma: somatic 0.46esophageal squamous cell carcinomaesophageal squamous cell carcinomaesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: somatic 0.46acute myeloid leukemiaacute myeloid leukemiaacute myeloid leukemia: somatic 0.46oral cavity squamous cell carcinomaoral cavity squamous cell carcinomaoral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: somatic 0.46breast carcinomabreast carcinomabreast carcinoma: somatic 0.46

Scores run from 0 (no evidence) to 1 (strongest). A missing dot at 0 means Open Targets holds no evidence of that kind. Source: Open Targets Platform, fetched live.

Tractability

Small molecule
Approved Drug, Structure with Ligand, High-Quality Ligand, High-Quality Pocket, Druggable Family
PROTAC
UniProt Ubiquitination, Database Ubiquitination, Half-life Data, Small Molecule Binder

gnomAD loss of function constraint: o/e 0.43568000197410583 (upper bound 0.6045399904251099). Low values mean loss of function is poorly tolerated, a safety flag for inhibition.

Who runs trials of these drugs

Principal investigators and study chairs on 68 registry trials, updated in the last three years, of the most advanced drugs against KEAP1 (diroximel, monomethyl, bardoxolone methyl), ranked by Phase 2+ trials. Live from ClinicalTrials.gov.

26 of 61 trials of drugs against KEAP1 have sites only in United States

Registry trials of diroximel, monomethyl, bardoxolone methyl updated in the last three years, counted by the country group of their listed sites. A trial with sites in several groups counts in each; 46 of 61 have all sites in one country.

Sites only in this groupSites here and elsewhere
United StatesUnited States: 26 trials with sites only hereUnited States: 12 trials with sites here and elsewhere38ChinaChina: 9 trials with sites only hereChina: 2 trials with sites here and elsewhere11EuropeEurope: 8 trials with sites only hereEurope: 10 trials with sites here and elsewhere18JapanJapan: 0 trials with sites only hereJapan: 7 trials with sites here and elsewhere7OtherOther: 4 trials with sites only hereOther: 11 trials with sites here and elsewhere15

Site counts are not patients per country, and trials registered only outside ClinicalTrials.gov are not covered. Where sites are is a fact about the record, not a judgement of its quality. Europe is the EU and EEA, the UK and Switzerland. 7 trials list no sites and are left out. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, fetched live.

24 trials of drugs against KEAP1 were stopped early; 3 give no reason

Terminated, withdrawn and suspended interventional trials of diroximel, monomethyl, bardoxolone methyl, newest update first, live from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each reason is quoted exactly as the registry gives it; we do not sort reasons into safety, efficacy or business. Dates are the last registry update. Showing the 24 most recent of 24.

  • terminated · 2025-06-11 · Biogen · Bardoxolone methyl
    “The company determined that continued exposure of these high-risk PH patients to clinic or in-person visits during the COVID pandemic presented an unacceptable risk.”
  • terminated · 2025-06-04 · Biogen · Bardoxolone methyl capsules
    “Exposure of these high-risk patients to clinic or in-person visits during the pandemic presented an unacceptable risk to their health”
  • terminated · 2025-06-03 · Biogen · Bardoxolone methyl
    “Discontinuation of all bardoxolone chronic kidney disease programs”
  • terminated · 2025-06-03 · Biogen · Bardoxolone methyl oral capsule
    “Discontinuation of all bardoxolone chronic kidney disease programs”
  • terminated · 2025-05-30 · Biogen · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Enrollment discontinued after second cohort completed.”
  • withdrawn · 2025-05-29 · Biogen · Bardoxolone Methyl
    “IDMC recommendation for safety concerns”
  • withdrawn · 2025-05-29 · Biogen · Bardoxolone Methyl 20 mg
    “IDMC recommendation for safety concerns”
  • terminated · 2025-05-29 · Biogen · Bardoxolone methyl
    “To pursue other indications”
  • terminated · 2025-05-29 · Biogen · Bardoxolone Methyl: 20 mg
    “IDMC recommendation for safety concerns”
  • terminated · 2025-05-29 · Biogen · Bardoxolone Methyl
    “IDMC recommendation for safety concerns”
  • withdrawn · 2025-05-29 · Biogen · Bardoxolone Methyl
    “IDMC recommendation for safety concerns”
  • terminated · 2024-03-27 · GlaxoSmithKline · L-N-monomethyl arginine acetate (L-NMMA)
    “The study is terminated due to feasibility in recruitment.”
  • terminated · 2023-10-27 · Biogen · 20 mg bardoxolone methyl
    “IDMC recommendation for safety concerns”
  • terminated · 2023-09-26 · Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. · Bardoxolone methyl
    “Based on results of double-blind parts, it was determined that it would be difficult to submit a marketing authorization application for RTA 402 for diabetic kidney disease.”
  • terminated · 2023-08-24 · Mirati Therapeutics Inc. · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “The study was terminated due to sponsor decision / portfolio prioritization, and not due to safety reasons.”
  • withdrawn · 2019-08-15 · Medical University of Vienna · NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)
    No reason given
  • terminated · 2019-03-11 · Seagen Inc. · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Sponsor decision based on portfolio prioritization”
  • terminated · 2018-08-15 · Emory University · L-NG-monomethyl Arginine (L-NMMA)
    “Limited clinical staff”
  • withdrawn · 2018-07-27 · Eric Bernicker, MD · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “lack of funding”
  • terminated · 2018-06-21 · Seagen Inc. · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Sponsor decision based on portfolio prioritization and changing treatment landscape in frontline DLBCL”
  • terminated · 2017-01-19 · H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Slow accrual, loss of sponsor support”
  • terminated · 2014-12-18 · Seagen Inc. · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Sponsor decision not to enroll cohorts of combined SGN-35 and gemcitabine therapy.”
  • terminated · 2014-11-17 · Medical University of Vienna · NG-monomethyl-L-arginine
    No reason given
  • terminated · 2014-11-14 · Medical University of Vienna · NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)
    No reason given
Paediatric incentives and obligations for KEAP1's drugs

For diroximel, monomethyl, bardoxolone methyl: what EMA and FDA publish about paediatric plans, orphan status and pediatric approvals, and how many registered studies take children. Each line is a yes, no or not published fact from the record linked under it; none of it is a forecast.

  • EU paediatric investigation plan: yes · EMEA-002685-PIP02-19-M01 (Diroximel fumarate (BIIB098), Treatment of multiple sclerosis): PM: decision on the application for modification of an agreed PIP, 29 Sept 2022; EMEA-002488-PIP01-18 (Bardoxolone methyl, Treatment of Alport syndrome): P: decision agreeing on a investigation plan, with or without partial waiver(s) and or deferral(s), 16 Jul 2021
    Rule: An EMA PIP decision (agreement, modification or waiver) lists the drug as its active substance, exact name. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
  • EU orphan designation: yes · EU/3/21/2480 positive 20 Aug 2021: Treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; EU/3/18/2019 positive 25 May 2018: Treatment of Alport syndrome
    Rule: An EU orphan designation lists the drug as its active substance (exact name) or belongs to a medicine that does; withdrawn and expired designations are listed with their status. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
  • Authorised in the EU: yes · Vumerity: authorised since 15 Nov 2021; Imbarkyd: application withdrawn, orphan medicine
    Rule: An EMA medicine record lists the drug as its active substance or INN, exact name; national-only authorisations are not in this file. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
  • FDA orphan designation: not published · FDA's orphan designation database turns away automated requests, so this app does not read it; search it by hand at the link
    Rule: Would be: an FDA orphan designation names the drug. Source: FDA orphan designations search
  • FDA pediatric oncology approval: no · FDA's table lists no pediatric approval of diroximel, monomethyl, bardoxolone methyl
    Rule: FDA's Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals table names the drug. Source: FDA Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals (content current as of 2026-03-03), 2026-11-11
  • Registered studies open to children: yes · 12 interventional studies of diroximel, monomethyl, bardoxolone methyl include patients under 18; 2 are recruiting, not yet recruiting or active
    Rule: The registry's age group includes Child (birth to 17 years), which also counts studies that set no minimum age. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov search, 2026-11-11

Rare pediatric disease voucher. FDA, content current as of 29 Apr 2026: “As of February 3, 2026, enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, the rare pediatric disease PRV program will sunset after September 30, 2029. FDA may not award any PRVs under this program after September 30, 2029.” Voucher sale prices are not shown here; they appear only as company-reported news. FDA: Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Priority Review Voucher Programs

All 4 drugs and clinical candidates as a table

Each drug, stage and indication links to its Open Targets record, where the trials and approvals behind it are listed. Salt forms (for example a mesylate) are listed as Open Targets records them, as separate entries.

DrugTypeHighest stageIndicationsSource records
DIROXIMEL FUMARATESmall moleculeapprovalmultiple sclerosis symptom measurement, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, immune system disorder, peripheral arterial disease, schizophreniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
MONOMETHYL FUMARATESmall moleculeapprovalmultiple sclerosis symptom measurement, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosisOpen Targets · ChEMBL
BARDOXOLONE METHYLSmall moleculephase 3mixed connective tissue disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, diabetic kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, Alport syndrome, melanoma, +9 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
DIMETHYL FUMARATESmall moleculewithdrawalmultiple sclerosis symptom measurement, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, immune system disorder, Cognitive impairment, type 1 diabetes mellitus, adrenomyeloneuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, +11 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL