Evaluating the Therapeutic Potential of Ublituximab in the Treatment of MS: Design, Development and Place in Therapy

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2024 Jul 16:18:3025-3042. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S388410. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

B cells are critical to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. B cell depletion using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has proven to be an extremely successful treatment strategy, with profound suppression of both clinical and radiological evidence of focal inflammatory disease. Several anti-CD20 mAbs are now licensed for use in MS, with ublituximab being the latest to gain regulatory approval. The unique properties of each of the anti-CD20 mAb may result in nuanced differences in timing, duration and depth of B cell depletion, with the potential for such differences to have a clinical relevance to both drug efficacy and adverse effects. In this review, we summarize the design, development, and current place in MS therapy for ublituximab.

Keywords: B-cell therapy; anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; multiple sclerosis; ublituximab.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Development
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • ublituximab
  • Antigens, CD20

Grants and funding

Dr. Sarah-Jane Martin is funded by a postdoctoral fellowship from MS Canada. Dr. Jiwon Oh holds the Waugh Family Chair in MS Research from the University of Toronto.