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Blood Reviews Sep 2017The anti-CD20 antibodies represent a major advancement in the therapeutic options available for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The addition of rituximab, ofatumumab and... (Review)
Review
The anti-CD20 antibodies represent a major advancement in the therapeutic options available for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The addition of rituximab, ofatumumab and obinutuzumab to various chemotherapy regimens has led to considerable improvements in both response and survival. Ocaratuzumab, veltuzumab and ublituximab are currently being explored within the trial setting. We review the current status of these antibodies, and discuss how their mechanisms of action may impact on the choice of combinations with novel small molecule agents.
Topics: Antigens, CD20; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Discovery; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Rituximab; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28499646
DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2017.05.002 -
Haematologica Nov 2016We compared two dosing schedules for subcutaneous injections of a low-dose humanized anti-CD20 antibody, veltuzumab, in immune thrombocytopenia. Fifty adults with... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
We compared two dosing schedules for subcutaneous injections of a low-dose humanized anti-CD20 antibody, veltuzumab, in immune thrombocytopenia. Fifty adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia, in whom one or more lines of standard therapy had failed and who had a platelet count <30×10/L but no major bleeding, initially received escalating 80, 160, or 320 mg doses of subcutaneous veltuzumab administered twice, 2 weeks apart; the last group received once-weekly doses of 320 mg for 4 weeks. In all dose groups, injection reactions were transient and mild to moderate; there were no other safety issues. Forty-seven response-evaluable patients had 23 (49%) objective responses (platelet counts ≥30×10/L and ≥2 × baseline) including 15 (32%) complete responses (platelets ≥100×10/L). Responses (including complete responses) and bleeding reduction occurred in all dose groups and were not dose-dependent. In contrast, response duration increased progressively with total dose, reaching a median of 2.7 years with the four once-weekly 320-mg doses. Among nine responders retreated at relapse, three at higher dose levels responded again, including one patient who was retreated four times. In all dose groups, B-cell depletion occurred after the first dose until recovery starting 12 to 16 weeks after treatment. Veltuzumab serum levels increased with dose group according to total dose administered, but terminal half-life and clearance were comparable. Human anti-veltuzumab antibody titers developed without apparent dose dependence in nine patients, of whom six responded including five who had complete responses. Subcutaneous veltuzumab was convenient, well-tolerated, and active, without causing significant safety concerns. Platelet responses and bleeding reduction occurred in all dose groups, and response durability appeared to improve with higher doses. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00547066.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antibody Formation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Count; Recurrence; Remission Induction; Thrombocytopenia
PubMed: 27515248
DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2016.146738 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Apr 2016The conventional treatment for patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) centers on global immunosuppression, such as the use of steroids and other immunosuppressive drugs,... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
The conventional treatment for patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) centers on global immunosuppression, such as the use of steroids and other immunosuppressive drugs, to decrease titers of antidesmoglein autoantibodies responsible for the acantholytic blisters. Global immunosuppressants, however, cause serious side effects. The emergence of anti-CD20 biologic medications, such as rituximab, as an adjunct to conventional therapy has shifted the focus to targeted destruction of autoimmune B cells. Next-generation biologic medications with improved modes of delivery, pharmacology, and side effect profiles are constantly being developed, adding to the diversity of options for PV treatment. We review promising monoclonal antibodies, including veltuzumab, obinutuzumab (GA-101), ofatumumab, ocaratuzumab (AME-133v), PRO131921, and belimumab.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Biological Products; Cohort Studies; Female; Forecasting; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Pemphigus; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Rituximab; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26792592
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.11.008 -
Leukemia & Lymphoma 2016To evaluate the potential of subcutaneous (SC) injections with anti-CD20 antibody veltuzumab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 21 patients received 80, 160, or...
To evaluate the potential of subcutaneous (SC) injections with anti-CD20 antibody veltuzumab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 21 patients received 80, 160, or 320 mg injections every 2 weeks × 4 doses (n = 11) or 160 or 320 mg twice-weekly × 16 doses (n = 10). Treatment was well tolerated with only occasional, mild-moderate, transient injection reactions. Lymphocytosis decreased in all patients (maximum decrease, 5-91%), with 12 patients obtaining >50% decreases. Of 14 patients with lymphadenopathy on CT imaging, 5 (36%) achieved 14-61% reductions (sum of perpendicular diameters). By NCI-WG criteria, two patients achieved partial responses (10%). SC veltuzumab appeared active in all dose groups, with no obvious exposure-response relationship, despite cumulative doses ranging from 320-5120 mg. Overall median progression-free survival was 7.7 months; three patients remained progression-free >1 year (2 ongoing at 2-year study completion). These data suggest further studies of SC veltuzumab in CLL are warranted.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Monitoring; Female; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Retreatment; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26389849
DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2015.1085531 -
Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs Sep 2015Over the last few years, several new immunological drugs, particularly monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), immunomodulatory drugs and B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway inhibitors... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Over the last few years, several new immunological drugs, particularly monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), immunomodulatory drugs and B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway inhibitors have been developed and investigated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This article summarizes recent discoveries regarding their mechanism of action, pharmacological properties, clinical activity and toxicity, as well as the emerging role of these agents in CLL.
AREAS COVERED
A literature review of mAbs, BCR pathway inhibitors and immunomodulating drugs was conducted of the MEDLINE database via PubMed for articles in English. Publications from 2000 through February 2015 were scrutinized. The search terms used were alemtuzumab, BI 836826, duvelisib ibrutinib, idelalisib, lenalidomide, monoclonal antibodies, MEDI-551, MOR208, obinutuzumab, ocaratuzumab, ofatumumab, ONO-4059, otlertuzumab, spebrutinib, veltuzumab and XmAb5574 in conjunction with CLL. Conference proceedings from the previous 5 years of the American Society of Hematology, European Hematology Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meetings were searched manually. Additional relevant publications were obtained by reviewing the references from the chosen articles.
EXPERT OPINION
The use of mAbs, BCR inhibitors and immunomodulating drugs is a promising new strategy for chemotherapy-free treatment of CLL. However, definitive data from ongoing and future clinical trials will aid in better defining the status of immunological drugs in the treatment of this disease.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Design; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
PubMed: 26153226
DOI: 10.1517/14728214.2015.1046432 -
British Journal of Haematology Jun 2015As a result of the anti-tumour activity observed in vitro and in vivo with combined anti-CD20 and anti-CD74 antibodies, we initiated a phase I/II trial of veltuzumab and...
The combination of milatuzumab, a humanized anti-CD74 antibody, and veltuzumab, a humanized anti-CD20 antibody, demonstrates activity in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
As a result of the anti-tumour activity observed in vitro and in vivo with combined anti-CD20 and anti-CD74 antibodies, we initiated a phase I/II trial of veltuzumab and milatuzumab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Patients received an induction of veltuzumab 200 mg/m(2) weekly combined with escalating doses of milatuzumab at 8, 16 and 20 mg/kg weekly for 4 weeks. Patients without disease progression could receive an extended induction with treatment on weeks 12, 20, 28 and 36. A total of 35 patients enrolled on the study. Median age was 63 years, median number of prior therapies was 3, and 63% of patients were rituximab refractory. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in the phase I study. Related grade 3-4 toxicities included lymphopenia, leucopenia, neutropenia, anaemia, infusion reactions, hyperglycaemia, fatigue and atrial tachycardia. Median weeks of therapy was 12 and 29% of patients completed all 36 weeks of therapy. The overall response rate was 24%, median duration of response was 12 months, and responses were observed at all dose levels and in 50% of patients refractory to rituximab. Combination therapy with veltuzumab and milatuzumab demonstrated activity in a population of heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory indolent NHL.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; B-Lymphocytes; Female; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Grading; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25847298
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13354 -
Expert Review of Hematology Dec 2014Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), rituximab, ofatumumab and obinutuzumab, have a significant impact in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL),... (Review)
Review
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), rituximab, ofatumumab and obinutuzumab, have a significant impact in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), particularly in combination with chemotherapy. Over the last few years, several new mAbs have been developed and investigated in CLL. The most promising newer mAbs are directed against CD20, CD19, CD37 and CD40. Combinations of antibodies with targeted drugs like ibrutinib, idelalisib or lenalidomide will probably replace chemotherapy-based combinations in the near future. This review gives a critical overview of established mAbs as well as new antibodies potentially useful in CLL.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, CD19; Antigens, CD20; Antigens, Neoplasm; CD40 Antigens; Humans; Immunotherapy; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Tetraspanins
PubMed: 25249370
DOI: 10.1586/17474086.2014.963048 -
Haematologica Nov 2014A lingering criticism of radioimmunotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the use of cold anti-CD20 antibody along with the radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibody. We instead...
A lingering criticism of radioimmunotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the use of cold anti-CD20 antibody along with the radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibody. We instead combined radioimmunotherapy with immunotherapy targeting different B-cell antigens. We evaluated the anti-CD22 (90)Y-epratuzumab tetraxetan with the anti-CD20 veltuzumab in patients with aggressive lymphoma in whom at least one prior standard treatment had failed, but who had not undergone stem cell transplantation. Eighteen patients (median age 73 years, median of 3 prior treatments) received 200 mg/m(2) veltuzumab once-weekly for 4 weeks, with (90)Y-epratuzumab tetraxetan at planned doses in weeks 3 and 4, and (111)In-epratuzumab tetraxetan in week 2 for imaging and dosimetry. Veltuzumab effectively lowered levels of B cells in the blood prior to the radioimmunotherapy doses. No significant immunogenicity or change in pharmacokinetics of either agent occurred in combination. (111)In imaging showed tumor targeting with acceptable radiation dosimetry to normal organs. For (90)Y-epratuzumab tetraxetan, transient myelosuppression was dose-limiting with 6 mCi/m(2) (222 MBq/m(2)) × 2 being the maximal tolerated dose. Of 17 assessable patients, nine (53%) had objective responses according to the 2007 revised treatment response criteria, including three (18%) complete responses (2 relapsing after 11 and 13 months, 1 continuing to be clinically disease-free at 19 months), and six (35%) partial responses (1 relapsing after 14 months, 5 at 3 - 7 months). Responses occurred in patients with different lymphoma histologies, treated at different (90)Y dose levels, and with a predicted risk of poor outcome, most importantly including five of the six patients treated with the maximal tolerated dose (2 of whom achieved durable complete responses). In conclusion, the combination of (90)Y-epratuzumab tetraxetan and veltuzumab was well-tolerated with encouraging therapeutic activity in this difficult-to-treat population.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents; Bone Marrow; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Indium Radioisotopes; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radioimmunotherapy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Yttrium Radioisotopes
PubMed: 25150258
DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2014.112110 -
JAMA Dermatology Dec 2014IMPORTANCE B-cell depletion with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab is highly effective for pemphigus vulgaris (PV) treatment. However,most patients experience relapse,...
IMPORTANCE B-cell depletion with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab is highly effective for pemphigus vulgaris (PV) treatment. However,most patients experience relapse, and intravenous rituximab infusions are expensive. Therefore, cost-effective anti-CD20 therapies are desirable.OBSERVATIONS A compassionate-use investigational new drug protocol was approved to administer veltuzumab, a second-generation humanized anti-CD20 antibody, to a patient with refractory PV. Veltuzumab was administered as two 320-mg (188mg/m2) subcutaneous doses 2 weeks apart, resulting in complete remission of disease off therapy. The disease relapsed 2 years after treatment. A second cycle of subcutaneous veltuzumab, using the same dosage regimen, again induced complete remission off therapy, which remained at9 months. No serious adverse events occurred during 35 months of follow-up. Serum veltuzumab levels were 22 and 29 μg/mL 2 weeks after the first dose of each cycle, and the drug remained detectable in the serum for longer than 3 months. Relapse and response to veltuzumab generally correlated with desmoglein 3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay index values. Shortly after a relapse that occurred after a long-term remission, the patient demonstrated an elevated naive (CD19+CD27−) to memory (CD19+CD27+) B-cell ratio of 19.5 and transitional (CD19+CD24+CD38+) B-cell frequency of 12.5%.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Subcutaneous veltuzumab may be a safe, effective, and more economical alternative to intravenous rituximab for PV therapy. Clinical trials of subcutaneous veltuzumab for PV are warranted.
Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Female; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Injections, Subcutaneous; Pemphigus; Recurrence; Remission Induction; Retreatment
PubMed: 25133328
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.1939 -
PloS One 2014The humanized anti-CD22 antibody, epratuzumab, has demonstrated therapeutic activity in clinical trials of lymphoma, leukemia and autoimmune diseases, treating currently... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The humanized anti-CD22 antibody, epratuzumab, has demonstrated therapeutic activity in clinical trials of lymphoma, leukemia and autoimmune diseases, treating currently over 1500 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemias, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Because epratuzumab reduces on average only 35% of circulating B cells in patients, and has minimal antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and negligible complement-dependent cytotoxicity when evaluated in vitro, its therapeutic activity may not result completely from B-cell depletion. We reported recently that epratuzumab mediates Fc/FcR-dependent membrane transfer from B cells to effector cells via trogocytosis, resulting in a substantial reduction of multiple BCR modulators, including CD22, CD19, CD21, and CD79b, as well as key cell adhesion molecules, including CD44, CD62L, and β7 integrin, on the surface of B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from normal donors or SLE patients. Rituximab has clinical activity in lupus, but failed to achieve primary endpoints in a Phase III trial. This is the first study of trogocytosis mediated by bispecific antibodies targeting neighboring cell-surface proteins, CD22, CD20, and CD19, as demonstrated by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. We show that, compared to epratuzumab, a bispecific hexavalent antibody comprising epratuzumab and veltuzumab (humanized anti-CD20 mAb) exhibits enhanced trogocytosis resulting in major reductions in B-cell surface levels of CD19, CD20, CD21, CD22, CD79b, CD44, CD62L and β7-integrin, and with considerably less immunocompromising B-cell depletion that would result with anti-CD20 mAbs such as veltuzumab or rituximab, given either alone or in combination with epratuzumab. A CD22/CD19 bispecific hexavalent antibody, which exhibited enhanced trogocytosis of some antigens and minimal B-cell depletion, may also be therapeutically useful. The bispecific antibody is a candidate for improved treatment of lupus and other autoimmune diseases, offering advantages over administration of the two parental antibodies in combination.
Topics: Antibodies, Bispecific; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; B-Lymphocytes; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Immunological Synapses; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; Rituximab
PubMed: 24841238
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098315