title: Catumaxomab: clinical development and future directions.
abstract: Catumaxomab, a monoclonal bispecific trifunctional antibody, was approved in the European Union in April 2009 for the intraperitoneal treatment of patients with malignant ascites. The marketing authorization holder Fresenius Biotech GmbH developed catumaxomab (Removab(®)) together with its partner TRION Pharma GmbH, Germany. It is the first substance worldwide with a regulatory label for the treatment of malignant ascites due to epithelial carcinomas. Since the peritoneum is of mesothelial origin and therefore lacks EpCAM expression, the intraperitoneal administration of catumaxomab is an attractive targeted immunotherapeutic approach. Catumaxomab is able to destroy EpCAM positive tumor cells in the peritoneal cavity known as the main cause of malignant ascites. In addition, catumaxomab is a potential therapeutic option for several primary tumors since the EpCAM molecule is expressed on the majority of epithelial carcinomas. This review focuses on the clinical development of catumaxomab and indicates future directions.
authors.affiliation: Fresenius Biotech GmbH, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Linke
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seimetz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018033:Antibodies, Bispecific / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology; D055808:Drug Discovery; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000639:trends; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018033:Antibodies, Bispecific; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; C522419:catumaxomab