In a nutshell
This study aimed to evaluate the safety, optimal dosage, and effectiveness of glofitamab (RO7082859) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL).
The authors concluded that glofitamab treatment on its own or in combination with other immunotherapies is safe and effective in these patients.
Some background
B-NHL is a type of blood cancer. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy have greatly improved the survival outcomes of patients with B-NHL. Despite this, there are still patients that do not respond to standard therapies or relapse (cancer returns) sooner.
CD20 is a protein found on cells of the immune system called B cells (CD20 positive B cells; CD20+). CD3 is a protein found on other immune cells called T cells (CD3 positive T cells; CD3+). Glofitamab is an immunotherapy that targets both CD20 and CD3 on these immune cells. This leads to the activation of immune cells that target and kill cancer cells. Glofitamab can be given with or after other therapies. However, the safety, optimal dosage, and effectiveness of glofitamab combined with other therapies in the treatment of r/r B-NHL remain under investigation.
Methods & findings
171 adult patients with r/r B-NHL were enrolled in this study. Patients had an average of 3 previous therapies. Patients were treated with one dose of obinutuzumab (Gazyva), another CD20-targeting immunotherapy drug, for 7 days. Patients were then treated with different doses of glofitamab. The average follow-up was 13.5 months.
After glofitamab treatment, 53.8% of patients experienced an overall response. 36.8% experienced a complete response (CR; complete disappearance of all signs of cancer) among all doses. 65.7% experienced a CR in those doses recommended for use in future clinical trials. 84.1% of patients who achieved CR had ongoing CR after a follow-up of 27.4 months.
Serious side effects were reported by 45% of patients treated with glofitamab. The most common side effect reported was cytokine release storm (CRS). CRS is when the immune system becomes overwhelmed, releasing lots of inflammatory proteins at once. Side effects associated with CRS included fever and infections.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that glofitamab given on its own or in combination with other immunotherapies showed favorable activity and manageable side effects for the treatment of r/r B-NHL.
The fine print
This trial included a small number of participants and had a short follow-up period. It was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, the manufacturer of glofitamab. Further, larger studies are needed.
Published By :
Journal of clinical oncology
Date :
Mar 19, 2021
