Blinatumomab

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type = mab


source = Mouse
target = MT103
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Blinatumomab (MT-103) is a fusion protein/immunoglobulin that has anti-cancer properties. It belongs to a new class of constructed antibodies ("BiTE") that exert action selectively and direct the human immune system to act against tumor cells. Blinatumomab specifically targets the CD19 antigen present on B cells.

The drug was developed by an German-American company Micromet, Inc. in cooperation with MedImmune.

Structure and mechanism of action

Blinatumomab enables a patient's T cells to recognize tumor cells. A molecule of blinatumomab combines two binding sites: for T cells and for target cells and it is inactive unless it even transiently bondsT cell with a target cell. Target cells are required for blinatumomab to activate T cells - without them the drug isinert.

Therapeutic use

The phase 1 clinical study of therapy with blinatumomabpatients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma showed tumor regression, and in somecases, complete remission. It is striking that these patients relapsed afterprevious treatments and their cases were considered incurable. This is alasting effect with the longest remission ongoing for more than one year.

There are ongoing phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials of blinatumomab inpatients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), lung or gastrointestinal cancers.

References

* [http://www.scienceonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/321/5891/974 Bargou R et al. (2008) Tumor regression in cancer patients by very low doses of a T cell-engaging antibody. Science 321: 974-977 (2008)]
* [http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/365/blinatumomab.pdf Blinatumomab description]

External links

* [http://www.micromet-inc.com/ Micromet Inc.]
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17083975 CD19-/CD3-bispecific antibody of the BiTE class is far superior to tandem diabody with respect to redirected tumor cell lysis. Mol Immunol. 2007 Mar;44(8):1935-43. Epub 2006 Nov 2.]