title: Obinutuzumab for B-cell malignancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We analyse data for the use of obinutuzumab in the treatment of CD20(+) lymphoproliferative disorders with a focus on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Targeted therapy against CD20 with the mAb rituximab led to significant improvements in survival for patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and is the current mainstay of treatment for CD20(+) malignancies. Despite this, many patients relapse or become refractory after rituximab-containing therapies, so efforts have been made to develop better anti-CD20 mAbs. Obinutuzumab recently demonstrated superiority over rituximab in the only published Phase III study comparing the two antibodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Obinutuzumab is a humanised, anti-CD20 mAb being compared to rituximab in several Phase III studies. An overview of obinutuzumab, its mechanisms of action and results of Phase I-III studies are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The demonstration of superiority of obinutuzumab over rituximab in the CLL11 Phase III study is potentially practice-changing. Obinutuzumab has also proven safe and efficacious in CD20(+) NHL in Phase I/II studies and results of Phase III studies in NHL are eagerly awaited. The potential implications of improved outcomes for CLL and NHL with the introduction of this more potent anti-CD20 antibody are tremendous given the impressive results obtained after the introduction of rituximab over a decade ago.
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Division of Hematology and Hematological Malignancies , 603 South Tower, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29th St NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2T9 , Canada carolyn.owen@albertahealthservices.ca.
authors.forename: Carolyn J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000069283:Rituximab; C543332:obinutuzumab
keywords: CD20; antibody; chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; non-Hodgkin lymphoma