Experimental antibody drug conjugate shows promise against indolent NHLs

According to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) , the molecule inotuzumab ozogamicin is demonstrating significant anti-tumor responses in patients diagnosed with relapsed or refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The interim data was derived from an ongoing Phase II study of the drug, which is an an investigational antibody-drug conjugate(ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody that targets the cell-surface protein CD22. Inotuzumab ozogamicin is designed to bind to CD22 and be absorbed into the cell, where it kills the cell by releasing its anti-cancer payload, the agent calicheamicin.

The study involves 28 patients with indolent NHLs including 24 with follicular lymphoma(FL), two with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and two with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL).

“This study demonstrates clinically meaningful tumor responses for patients with rituximab-resistance indolent lymphoma,” said Douglas Stewart, MD, FRCPC, chief of the division of hematology and hematological malignancies at the University of Calgary, and provincial leader of the hematology tumor team of Alberta Health Service Cancer Care, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “Phase III trials results are eagerly awaited to determine the potential role of this new lymphoma therapy.”

Source: AACR 2012