The development of antibody-IL-2 based immunotherapy with hu14.18-IL2 (EMD-273063) in melanoma and neuroblastoma

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2009 Jul;18(7):991-1000. doi: 10.1517/13543780903048911.

Abstract

Patients with high risk melanoma and neuroblastoma frequently experience recurrence despite surgical resection and appropriate adjuvant therapies. Immunotherapy with the immunocytokine hu14.18-IL2 (EMD-273063) was developed by means of fusion of two molecules of IL-2 to the monoclonal antibody, 14.18, that recognizes GD2, expressed on the earlier mentioned malignancies. This article will discuss the results of preclinical work using EMD-273063 therapy, including data suggesting that intratumoral therapy may have enhanced antitumor benefit compared with intravenous therapy. Initial clinical trials in adult melanoma and pediatric neuroblastoma have demonstrated acceptable toxicity profiles in dosing that induces immune activation. Preclinical and initial clinical data suggest greater efficacy in the setting of minimal residual disease; therefore, future clinical testing is planned to test the benefit of EMD-273063 in this setting.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive / methods
  • Immunization, Passive / trends*
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-2 / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Melanoma / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroblastoma / immunology*
  • Neuroblastoma / therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Interleukin-2
  • lorukafusp alfa