Tafasitamab for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) require further treatment options, especially in cases that cannot tolerate stem cell transplant or cytotoxic chemotherapy. CD19 has emerged as an attractive target in B-cell malignancy and is the subject of several therapeutic strategies. The anti-CD19, humanized, monoclonal antibody tafasitamab (MOR208) has an engineered, modified Fc region with increased affinity for Fcγ receptors, leading to increased cytotoxicity via natural killer cells and macrophages (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis) in a promising approach.

AREAS COVERED:

The development of tafasitamab is reviewed, together with the pharmacokinetics and clinical experience of tafasitamab in R/R DLBCL; clinical data have led to FDA approval and inclusion in NCCN treatment guidelines for tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide in this indication.

EXPERT OPINION:

Patients with R/R DLBCL who have failed rituximab-containing regimens may be resistant to CD20-directed therapies; therefore, therapies with an alternative mode of action are of great interest in this setting. Tafasitamab, an anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, in combination with lenalidomide has demonstrated promising efficacy for patients with R/R DLBCL who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation. This could provide an alternative approach to classical chemotherapy-based regimens in the relapsed setting.

• Authors: Gilles Salles, Monika Długosz-Danecka, Hervé Ghesquières, Wojciech Jurczak
• Journal: Expert opinion on biological therapy (Expert Opin Biol Ther) Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 455-463 (04 2021) ISSN: 1744-7682 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33554668 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• tafasitamab

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
• Humans
• Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse (drug therapy)
• Transplantation, Autologous