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

Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2021 Apr;21(4):455-463. doi: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1884677. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

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.

Keywords: CD19; MOR208; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma/DLBCL; immunotherapy; lenalidomide; non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma/NHL; tafasitamab.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • tafasitamab