Loncastuximab tesirine for treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Approximately, a third of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have refractory or relapsed disease after initial treatment. Despite recent regulatory approval of several new agents, including CAR-T cell therapy, polatuzumab vedotin and tafasitamab, there is still a need for additional therapies that expand the therapeutic alternatives and improve outcomes for patients with DLBCL that progresses after first line therapy.

AREAS COVERED:

Studies of recently approved agents for relapsed DLBCL are reviewed. The relevance of CD19 as an immunotherapeutic target. The pharmacologic composition of loncastuximab tesirine and its cytotoxic payload, a pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer. Phase I and phase 2 data for loncastuximab tesirine in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, showing the safety profile of this drug and the emerging efficacy results in DLBCL.

EXPERT OPINION:

Loncastuximab tesirine is an antiCD19 antibody drug conjugate with a novel cytotoxic payload. Early studies showed this drug is tolerable, with a safety profile that is different from other antibody drug conjugates approved for lymphoid malignancies. Efficacy data shows activity in different non-Hodgkin lymphoma entities, and a phase 2 study has been completed in DLBCL showing durable responses, including in high-risk subgroups. Loncastuximab tesirine will be an important addition to the treatment alternatives for DLBCL.

• Authors: Krishna Goparaju, Paolo F Caimi
• Journal: Expert opinion on biological therapy (Expert Opin Biol Ther) Vol. 21 Issue 11 Pg. 1373-1381 (11 2021) ISSN: 1744-7682 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34505550 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antigens, CD19
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Immunoconjugates
• Benzodiazepines
• loncastuximab tesirine

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antigens, CD19
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Benzodiazepines (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunoconjugates (therapeutic use)
• Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse (drug therapy)