DAB389IL2 (ONTAK®) fusion protein therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Arthur E. Frankel, Donald R. Fleming, Bayard L. Powell, Ronald Gartenhaus

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite multiple new therapeutic options for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), the prognosis of patients with relapsed disease is poor. After first-line therapy with fludarabine, alkylating agents, rituximab or combinations of these agents, most patients relapse within a few years. While second-line therapy with alemtuzumab, or other combinations of the above agents, have produced remissions, most of these are partial responses lasting months rather than years. Patients commonly die from progressive disease or infections related to the underlying disease or treatment. The authors sought to develop a novel therapeutic with the capacity to kill chemotherapy-resistant CLL cells and with reduced toxicities to normal tissues. Based on the presence of high affinity interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) on CLL cells, therapy of relapsed CLL patients with a diphtheria fusion protein targeting IL-2R - DAB389IL2 (ONTAK®, Seragen, Inc., Hopkinton, MA, USA) - was tested in a pilot Phase II study. Biological activity and a partial remission were observed with modest drug-related side effects. Based on these encouraging findings, alternative schedules and combinations with agents that may enhance CLL cell expression of IL-2R are being tested. Hopefully, the use of these targeted therapeutic approaches will provide additional therapeutic options with fewer side effects for this common and incurable condition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)179-186
Number of pages8
JournalExpert Opinion on Biological Therapy
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2003

Keywords

  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • Diphtheria fusion protein
  • Interleukin-2 receptor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Clinical Biochemistry

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