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Bispecific Antibodies in Hematologic Malignancies: When, to Whom, and How Should Be Best Used?

  • Leukemia (A Aguayo, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to discuss the current recommendations for the use of bispecific antibodies (bsAb) in hematologic malignancies and explore the future in this field.

Recent Findings

Bispecific antibodies are molecules able to target two different antigen-binding sites: one towards a tumor antigen and another to activate a cytotoxic cell. Phase II/III trials on blinatumomab for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have demonstrated its efficacy for treating minimal residual disease (MRD+) and relapsed refractory (r/r) Philadelphia positive (Ph+) and negative (Ph−) ALL in adults and children.

Summary

Currently, the only bispecific antibody (bsAb) approved for its use in hematologic malignancies is blinatumomab. However, multiple trials are under development not only to explore blinatumomab’s clinical activity in other neoplasia, such as lymphoma or multiple myeloma, but also to develop new molecules against different antigens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico

    Roberta Demichelis-Gómez, Daniela Pérez-Sámano & Christianne Bourlon

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Correspondence to Roberta Demichelis-Gómez.

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Conflict of Interest

Roberta Demichelis-Gómez has received research funding through grants from Amgen and Novartis; has received speakers’ honoraria from AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Novartis, and Shire; has received reimbursement for travel expenses from AbbVie and Amgen; and has received compensation from AbbVie and Novartis for participation on advisory boards.

Daniela Pérez-Sámano declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Christianne Bourlon has received speakers’ honoraria from Shire.

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Demichelis-Gómez, R., Pérez-Sámano, D. & Bourlon, C. Bispecific Antibodies in Hematologic Malignancies: When, to Whom, and How Should Be Best Used?. Curr Oncol Rep 21, 17 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-019-0759-5

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