A. Overview of Uses
- Increasing development of MAbs for human disease
- Both acute and chronic uses have been pursued
- Most are administered as intravenous therapy
- "Humanized" MAbs are usually used clinically
- Chimeric MAbs have mouse Fab (antigen binding) region with human Fc
- Humanized MAbs have humanized Fab (mouse CDR + human framework) and human Fc
- Fully human MAbs are now produced in transgenic mice
- Transplantation
- Rheumatologic / Autoimmune Disorders
- Oncology - Approved MAbs [1]
- Alemtuzumab (Campath®): anti-CD52 on lymphocytes
- Bevacizumab (Avastin®): anti-VEGF
- Cetuxumab (Erbitux®): anti-EGF-R on colorectal (and other) cancers
- Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg®): anti-CD33 with colicheamicin derived toxin for AML
- Ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®): anti-CD20 radiolabeled (Yt-90)
- Panitumumab (ABX-EGF): anti-EGF-R
- Rituximab (Rituxan®): anti-CD20
- Tositumomab (Bexxar®): anti-CD20 radiolabeled (I-131)
- Trastuzumab (Herceptin®)
- Infectious Disease - anti-RSV MAb (see below)
- Cardiology (GP IIb/IIIa Blockade)
B. Anti-CD3 (muromonab, Orthoclone OKT3®)
- Murine MAb for prevention of organ graft rejection
- Used both first line and for glucocorticoid resistant rejection
- Some studies have shown improved long term graft survival
- Dose is 5mg/d intravenous
- Increased rates of infection, cytokine release syndrome, and anti-mouse antibodies
- Chimeric and humanized anti-CD3 Abs are in development
C. Anti-IL2 Receptor MAbs
- Daclizumab (Zenapax®) [2]
- This is a humanized (IgG1 Fc) anti-IL2R alpha chain (CD25) Ab
- Reduces acute rejection episodes in moderate and high risk patients
- Reduced biopsy proven acute rejection from 35% to 22% in combination with other drugs
- Used in combination with CsA, glucocorticoids, and azathioprine
- Excellent side effect profile with no increase in infections versus control
- Approved by FDA for prevention of acute renal allograft rejection
- Half life of the drug is ~20 days
- Dose is 1mg/kg over 15 minutes, given 24 hours before transplant and biweekly x 4
- Zenapax given during the three month induction period following cardiac transplantation reduced incidence of acute rejection 75% (from 63% to 18%) [19]
- Basiliximab (Simulect®) [2]
- Chimeric IgG1 mouse Fab / human Fc monoclonal antibody
- Binds to anti-IL2R alpha chain (CD25) similar to daclizumab
- Used in combination with CsA, glucocorticoids and azathioprine
- Reduced acute rejection rate at 6 months from 44% to 30%
- Excellent side effect profile
- Approved by FDA for prevention of acute renal allograft rejection
- Half-life of the drug is ~7 days
- Dose is 20mg IV on day of transplantation and 20mg IV four days later
D. Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha Blockers [3]
- Infliximab (anti-TNFa MAb, Remicade®) [4]
- Half life is 10 days when given intravenously
- 5-10mg/kg anti-TNFa Ab infusion usually produce significant improvement in symptoms
- Approved for use in severe Crohn's disease, especially to help heal fistulas
- In Crohn's Disease, responses usually occur at 2 weeks, last ~3 months
- Up to 68% of patients will heal 50% of their fistulas [5]
- Up to 55% of patients will heal all of their fistulas [5]
- Elevated TNFa levels predict acute relapse in Crohn's disease (consider therapy) [6]
- Well tolerated and effective therapy in ~50% of patients with refractory RA
- Overall well tolerated with nausea most common (17%)
- Serum sickness like symptoms reported in ~25% of Crohn's patients
- Etanercept (Soluble TNFa Receptor, Enbrel®) [7,8]
- Soluble TNFa receptor absorbs and blocks TNFa biological activity
- This is not an antibody, but contains a human Fc IgG1 region
- Given as 10mg or 25mg sc injections twice weekly
- The 25mg sc dose has a half life of ~5 days
- Improves moderate and severe RA in 50-70% of patients
- May be used in combination with methotrexate and is synergistic
- Unclear if agent slows joint destruction
- Injection site reactions common, but no other major problems
- Drug is very effective and well tolerated in RA patients for >18 months
- Adalimumab (Humira®) [42]
- Effective alone or in combination with MTX for moderate to severe RA
- Convenient dosing: 40mg sc every other week
E. Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) [11,40,43]
- Anti-HER2/neu MAb blocks epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor 2 (EGF-R2, also called human EGF receptor 2 (HER2) or Neu)
- FDA approved for first line therapy of metastatic breast cancer
- Effective in patients with amplification or overexpression of her2/neu
- About 25% of patients with metastatic breast cancer overexpress her2/neu
- May be used alone or in combination with paclitaxel
- Combination therapy with trastuzumab increased duration of median response from
- 4 months to 13 months
- One year survival 68% with chemotherapy alone, 79% with chemotherapy + trastuzumab
- Use as Adjuvant Therapy
- Studied in patients with node positive or negative breast cancer without other metastases
- One year of trastuzumab q3 weeks after at least 4 cycles of anthracycline chemotherapy in patients with HER2+ breast Ca reduced cancer related events by ~45% [44]
- One year of trastuzumab with paclitaxel both q3 weeks after doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide adjuvant therapy in HER2+ breast ca reduced disease progression and death 33% [45]
- Cardiotroxicity [40]
- Clear increase in cardiotoxicity when used with athracyclines (27% of patients)
- Use alone in adjuvant setting reported cardiac problems in ~0.5% of cases [44]
- As monotherapy in metastatic disease, ~5% develop cardiac problems
- Combination with paclitaxel in adjuvant setting reported heart failure in 4% of cases [10]
- Overall cardiotoxicity with paclitaxel ~13%
- Chills, fever, asthenia, pain, nausea occurred in 40% of persons at first infusion
- About 25% of patients developed diarrhea
- Some increase in infection rates with combination therapy
- Should be used in all patients with HER2+ overexpression in adjuvant or metastatic setting
F. Anti-CD20 MAbs
- CD20 is expressed on B lymphocytes, pre-B, but not pro-B lymphocytes
- CD20 expressed on nearly all B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cells
- Rituximab (Rituxan®) [12,20]
- IgG1 kapp chimeric mouse/human antibody which binds to CD20 antigen
- Nearly all low grade B cell NHL express CD20, as do normal B cells
- Rituximab depletes all CD20 expressing cells, including normal and malignant B cells
- Rituximab may also sensitize B cells to effects of some anticancer agents
- Given slowly IV once weekly (375mg/m2) for 4 weeks
- Median time to response was ~50 days
- Partial + complete responses with ribuximab alone occurred in ~50% of patients
- Combination of rituximab and chemotherapy (CHOP) produced very good overall responses
- Also show some efficacy in patients with intermediate and high grade NHL
- Adverse effects occurred with initial dose, usually an immediate hypersensitivity
- These effects respond to acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)
- Activity in refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) but mortality 3% associated with use in ITP necessitates caution [10,17,18,19]
- Has also shown good efficacy alone or combined with cyclophosphamide or methotrexate in patients with methotrexate resistant RA; FDA approved in RA [48,49]
- Highly significant reductions in gadolinium lesions and volume with good tolerability in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) [53]
- Consider use of ribuximab in relapsing MS (Phase III studies to be initiated)
- 90-Yt Radiolabeled Anti-CD20 MAb (Bexxar®)
- FDA approved for rituximab refractory NHL
- Also approved for NHL following relapse after chemotherapy
- Requires initial dosing with "cold" (nonradioactive) anti-CD20 (rituximab)
- Some complete responses and many partial responses in rituximab refractory NHL
- Well tolerated with no acute side effects
- Thrombocytopenia was dose limiting
- Late radiation-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia in <5%
- I-131 Radiolabeled Anti-CD20 MAb (Zevalin®) [13]
- Labelled with I-131 increases efficacy considerably
- Unlabelled (non-radioactive) Ab showed 9% complete and 50% partial responses
- Radiolabelled Ab showed 50% complete and 79% partial responses
- With myeloablative levels of radiolabeled Ab, 79% complete and 86% partial responses
G. Cetuximab (Erbitux®) [28,29,30,33]
- Chimeric mouse-human IgG1 MAb against ligand binding domain of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor 1 (EGF-R1)
- EGF-R1 is upregulated in many cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC)
- CRC
- Partial responses to single agent 9-11%; 17-22% in combination with irinotecan in CRC [46]
- Side effects of cetuximab+irinotecan similar to irinotecan alone except for skin rash [47]
- In chemotherapy relapsed patients, cetuximab improve overall survival 6.1 months versus
- 6 months with best supportive care [51]
- Efficacy not affected by type of prior chemotherapy
- Enhances cytotoxic effects of radiation in squamous cell cancer SCC (head and neck)
- In combination with high-dose radiotherapy, improved progression free and overall survival in patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck SCC [30]
- Side Effects
- Acne-like skin rash in up to 88% of patients, severe in 12%
- Severe hypersensitivity reactions occur in >3% (or more), higher rates in southern USA [54]
- Most patients with hypersensitivity to cetuximab have IgE Abs specific for cetuximab and to the disaccharide galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose [54]
- Loading dose of cetuximab 400mg/m2 IV over hours, then 250mg/m2 over 1 hour weekly
- Pretreatment with diphenhydramine (Benadryl®, others) to reduce infusion reactions
- Infusion reactions severe ~3% with first infusion (do not retreat after severe reaction)
- For mild or moderate infusion reactions, reduce rate of infusion 50%
- Also being evaluated in head and neck cancer, pancreatic and lung cancers
H. Panitumumab (Vectibix®) [38]
- Anti-EGF-R mAb (IgG2) approved for recurrent CRC
- No benefit (possible harm) in combination with first line therapy
- Improved mean PFS to 96 days from 60 days with best supportive care
- Dose is 6mg/kg IV over 60 minutes q14 days
I. Anti-alpha4 Integrin MAb (natalizumab, Tysabri®) [21,24,39]
- Humanized MAb to alpha4-beta1 (a4b1) and alpha4-beta7 (a4b7) integrins
- Blocks association of a4b1 (also called VLA-4) with VCAM-1 and CS-1
- Blocks association of a4b7 (also called LPA-1) with MadCAM-1 and VCAM-1
- Multiple Sclerosis [22,39]
- Lymphocytes and monocytes express a4b1 integrin
- Six-month randomized study of monthly natalizumab in relapsing multiple sclerosis
- Reduced new MRI lesions by >90%
- Reduced clinical relapses by 50% during 6 months of treatment
- Adverse events similar to placebo except for emerging PML risk
- Rare cases of PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) reported [25,26,27]
- Do not use in combination with other immunosuppressive agents
- Appears to be most potent treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Crohn's Disease [23]
- Lymphocytes homing to the gut express a4b7 integrin
- One to two infusions given to patients with active Crohn's Disease (CDAI 220-450)
- Some effect of higher dose natalizumab in inducing remissions
- Natalizumab also improved quality of life and reduced C reactive protein
- Adverse effects similar to placebo except for PML risk
J. Anti-CD52 (alemtuzumab, Campath®)
- CD52 is expressed on most lymphocytes
- Effectively lysis malignant lymphocytes
- Also causes T and B cell depletion from blood
- Effective in resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Pneumocystis and cytomegalovirus prophylaxis required during use
K. Anti-CD33 MAb (gemtuzumab, Mylotarg®) [16]
- CD33 expressed on majority of myeloid lineage cells
- Gemtuzumab is recombinant human MAb to CD33 linked to calicheamcin toxin
- CD33 expressed on leukemic blasts in >80% of patients
- Calicheamicin is released in lysosomes of target cell and binds to DNA minor groove
- FDA approved for treatment of CD33+ acute myeloid leukemia in first relapse
- Usually give two doses, 14 days apart
- Complete remission occurs in ~30% of patients given gemtuzumab
- Some acute cytokine release symptoms occur within 4 hours of dosing
- Nearly all patients develop severe neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
L. Tocilizumab [56,57]
- Humanized mAb binds both cell-bound and soluble forms of interleukin 6 (IL6) receptor
- RA patients on Methotrexate with Suboptimal Responses [56]
- Doses 4-8mg/kg IV q4 weeks for 24 weeks
- At 24 weeks, ACR50 in >40% at 8mg/kg versus >10% on placebo
- At 24 weeks, ACR20 in >55% at 8mg/kg versus >20% on placebo
- Serious adverse events in 3% at 8mg/kg, 1.5% at 4mg/kg, 1% on placebo
- Otherwise, generally well tolerated
- Systemic-Onset Juvenile Chronic Arthritis (Still's Disease; Systemic Onset JCA) [57]
- Dose 8mg/kg IV q2 weeks x 6 weeks, then randomized to placebo or drug for 12 weeks
- After week 18, 80% of tocilizumab and 17% of placebo maintained ACR Pedi 30 responses
- Generally well tolerated, with minimal anaphylactoid and other serious adverse events
- May be reasonable treatment for systemic onset JCA
M. Omalizumab (Xolair®) [31,32]
- Recombinant humanized monoclonal anti-human IgE antibody developed
- Recognizes human IgE specifically at the same part of Fc region as the Fc(E) receptor
- Reduces serum concentrations of free IgE immediately after one injection
- Total serum IgE levels increase after administration due to immune complex formation
- Attenuates early- and late-phase reactions to inhaled allergens
- FDA approved for used in persistent asthmatics with elevated serum IgE levels
- Biweekly IV dosing for 20 weeks in adults with allergic asthma on some form of glucocorticoids led to improved asthma scores and reduced need for glucocorticoids
- Some reduction in daily ß-adrenergic agonist use seen in treated patients
- Serum IgE levels were reduced >95% with high and low dose anti-IgE treatments
- Subcutaneous dosing every 2-4 weeks for 16 weeks in children with allergic asthma reduced inhaled glucocorticoid use and asthma exacerbations
- Side Effects
- Antibodies to the anti-IgE treatments developed in all patients
- Side effects were not different in placebo versus treated patients
- Anaphylaxis in ~0.2% of patients, typically within 2 hours after first dose if it occurs [50]
- Total serum IgE level should be measured in all patients prior to omalizumab
N. Bevacizumab (anti-VEGF MAb, Avastin®) [33,34,41,58]
- Antibody (Ab) to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
- Humanized monoclonal Ab (MAb) with efficacy in multiple cancers
- FDA Approved Indications [9]
- Metastatic colorectal cancer - first line in combination
- Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
- Metastatic breast cancer - first line with paclitaxel (Taxol®) in HER2 negative disease
- Activity in other cancers (see below)
- Bevacizumab with irinotecan+5FU/LV increases survival versus chemotherapy alone as initial CRC treatment: 20.3 versus 15.6 months [28]
- Bevacizumab added to paclitaxel+carboplatin increased survival in Stage IIIB/IV non-small cell (non-squamous) lung cancer from 10.3 to 12.3 months [60]
- In Stage IV breast cancer, bevacizumab plus paclitaxel improved progression-free survival versus paclitaxel alone (11.8 and 5.9 months); similar overall survival (~26 months) [9,52]
- Activity in renal-cell carcinoma and in previously untreated pancreatic carcinoma
- Used "off-label" for wet form of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
- Side Effects
- Gastrointestinal bleeding or performation 2% in clinical trials
- Hypertension; uncommon hypertensive crisis, renal dysfunction, proteinuria
- Severe, sometimes fatal pulmonary hemorrhage in lung cancer patients
- Epistaxis, thrombosis, asthenia uncommon
- Delay therapy for 28 days after major surgery; avoid prior to elective surgery
- Systemic dose is 5-10mg/kg every 2 weeks or 15mg/kg every 3 weeks IV [9]
- First dose 90 minute infusion
- Second infusion over 60 minutes if well tolerated
- Subsequent doses over 30 minutes if well tolerated
O. Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) [35,36]
- Monoclonal anti-VEGF Ab fragment
- Most effective therapy currently available
- Superior to verteporfin
- Intravitreal injection of 0.3mg or 0.5mg monthly for at least 1 year
- Serious adverse effects: endophthalmitis (1.4%), uveitis (0.7%)
P. Ustekinumab (anti-p40 mAb)
- mAb to p40 protein, which is a subunit of both IL12 and IL23 (Th1 cytokines)
- In phase II, single doses and 4 once weekly doses of 45mg or 90mg of ustekinumb significantly improved moderate-severe plaque psoriasis with good tolerability [59]
- Responses in phase II were sustained at 12, 16, and 20 weeks after single doses
- In a 12 week trial, ustekinumab subcutaneously 45mg or 90mg at weeks 0 and 4 lead to PASI 75 in 66-75% versus placebo <4% [60,61]
- Responses to ustekinumab are durable for up to 76 weeks after intermittent dosing [30]
- Very well tolerated with this regimen, with serious adverse events similar to placebo
Q. Anti-RSV MAb (palivizumab, Synagis®)
- Humanized MAb against respiratory syncytial virus
- Treatment of infants at high risk for RSV:
- Premature infants
- Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
- Dose is 15mg/kg
- Reduced RSV infections by >50%
- Very well tolerated 6. FDA approved for wet AMD
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