Loncastuximab tesirine for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl (ADC Therapeutics), an anti-CD19 antibody-drug conjugate, was recently approved for the treatment of relapsed, refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on the basis of the results of a phase II clinical trial, LOTIS-2. Preclinical data demonstrated the selectivity and efficacy of the drug through in vitro and in vivo models. A phase I clinical trial included relapsed, refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and demonstrated a tolerable safety profile, with major adverse effects being neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). A dose of 150 μg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks for two cycles followed by 75 μg/kg every 3 weeks was chosen for further testing. The phase II trial, LOTIS-2, recruited relapsed, refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients and demonstrated no new safety concerns. Overall response rate was 48.3% (24.1% CR), and OS was 9.9 months. Currently, several ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the safety and efficacy of loncastuximab tesirine in a variety of NHL subtypes.