On March 21, 2016 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) reported that daratumumab will be investigated in early stage clinical studies (NCT02431208) in combination with atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1 antibody), in a solid tumor and multiple myeloma (Press release, Genmab, MAR 21, 2016, View Source [SID:1234509778]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! The studies will be conducted under a clinical trial collaboration agreement between Genmab’s licensing partner for daratumumab, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. Atezolizumab is an investigational monoclonal antibody designed to bind to a protein called PD-L1, which is expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Janssen will conduct a Phase Ib study of daratumumab in combination with atezolizumab to treat a solid tumor. Genentech will amend an ongoing Phase Ib study to assess atezolizumab in combination with daratumumab, with daratumumab and lenalidomide, and with daratumumab and pomalidomide in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (NCT02431208). The studies are expected to start enrolling patients later this year and information about the studies will be posted on www.clinicaltrials.gov.
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"We are very excited about the start of the first study to investigate daratumumab in a solid tumor, potentially expanding its clinical utility beyond hematological cancers. We are equally excited about testing daratumumab in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, such as Roche’s anti-PDL1, atezolizumab, in multiple myeloma. Both studies mark a key next step in the expansive clinical development of daratumumab in the hope to find even more effective treatment options for cancer patients," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
About DARZALEX (daratumumab)
DARZALEX (daratumumab) injection for intravenous infusion is indicated in the United States for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent, or who are double-refractory to a PI and an immunomodulatory agent.1 DARZALEX is the first monoclonal antibody (mAb) to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat multiple myeloma. For more information, visit www.DARZALEX.com.
Daratumumab is a human IgG1k monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds with high affinity to the CD38 molecule, which is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells. It is believed to induce rapid tumor cell death through programmed cell death, or apoptosis,1,2 and multiple immune-mediated mechanisms, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity,1,2 antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis3,4 and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.1,2 In addition, daratumumab therapy results in a reduction of immune-suppressive myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and a subset of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and B cells (Bregs), all of which express CD38. These reductions in MDSCs, Tregs, and Bregs were paralleled by increases in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell numbers in both the peripheral blood and bone marrow.1
Daratumumab is being developed by Janssen Biotech, Inc. under an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab from Genmab. Five Phase III clinical studies with daratumumab in relapsed and frontline settings are currently ongoing, and additional studies are ongoing or planned to assess its potential in other malignant and pre-malignant diseases on which CD38 is expressed, such as smoldering myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.