title: The future of CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy in B-cell malignancies.
abstract: Limitations of therapeutic options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have necessitated the development of novel treatments/strategies. Rituximab (chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody [mAb]) considerably improved therapeutic outcomes for patients with B-cell malignancies, particularly when combined with chemotherapy; outcomes, however, are limited by rituximab resistance or reduced response upon re-treatment. Novel anti-CD20 mAbs are in development that may enhance mAb therapy. Ofatumumab (human anti-CD20 mAb) induces highly potent cell lysis, including in cells with low CD20 expression, and is the most clinically advanced new anti-CD20 mAb. Positive phase III interim data for ofatumumab in fludarabine-refractory CLL that is also refractory to alemtuzumab or less suitable for alemtuzumab due to bulky (>5 cm) lymphadenopathy has led to FDA approval of this agent in this population. Preclinical and early clinical assessment of other novel anti-CD20 mAbs include: ocrelizumab, veltuzumab, GA101, AME-133v, and PRO131921; data suggest potential for improved efficacy over rituximab that will require substantiation in large-scale clinical trials. New treatment strategies and novel anti-CD20 mAbs have the potential to enhance long-term outcomes for CLL and NHL.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA. myron.czuczman@roswellpark.org
authors.forename: Myron S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Czuczman
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000069283:Rituximab; C527517:ofatumumab