Monoclonal antibody | |
---|---|
Type | Whole antibody |
Source | Humanized (from mouse) |
Target | CD20 |
Clinical data | |
Trade names | Ocrevus |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a617026 |
License data |
|
Pregnancy category | |
Routes of administration | Intravenous infusion, subcutaneous injection |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Identifiers | |
CAS Number | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider |
|
UNII | |
KEGG | |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C6494H9978N1718O2014S46 |
Molar mass | 145818.03 g·mol−1 |
(what is this?) (verify) |
Ocrelizumab, sold under the brand name Ocrevus, is a medication used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. [8] It targets CD20 marker on B lymphocytes and is an immunosuppressive drug. [10] Ocrelizumab binds to an epitope that overlaps with the epitope to which rituximab binds. [10]
It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2017, [11] and the first FDA approved drug for the primary progressive form of multiple sclerosis; it was discovered and developed and is marketed by Hoffmann–La Roche's subsidiary Genentech. [12] [8] With the approval, the FDA also required the company to conduct several Phase IV clinical trials to better understand whether the drug is safe and effective in young people, cancer risks, and effects on pregnant women and children they might bear. [13]
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it to be a first-in-class medication. [14]
In the US, ocrelizumab is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease in adults or for the treatment of primary progressive multiple sclerosis in adults. [8] It is administered by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection. [8] [15]
In the EU, ocrelizumab is indicated for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis with active disease defined by clinical or imaging features and for the treatment of adults with early primary progressive multiple sclerosis in terms of disease duration and level of disability, and with imaging features characteristic of inflammatory activity. [9]
Ocrelizumab should not be used in people with hepatitis B infection or a history of severe reaction to this drug. If someone has an infection or infectious disease, treatment should be delayed until the infection is resolved. It has not been tested in pregnant women, but based on animal studies does not appear to be safe for pregnant women; it is excreted in breast milk, and effects on infants are unknown. [8]
As of October 2016, the three phase III clinical trials of ocrelizumab used to obtain approval had not been published. Based on published data from clinical trials at that time, the most common adverse events were infusion reactions including itchy skin, rash, hives, flushing, throat and mouth irritation, fever, fatigue, nausea, rapid heart beating, headache, and dizziness. One person died from a systemic inflammatory response syndrome and in another trial, rates of cancer were three times higher (2.3% vs. 0.8%) in people taking the drug than people taking placebo. Clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus were halted because rates of serious infections were too high; these results were not seen in published trials in people with multiple sclerosis, and the differences may be due to the differences in the bodies of people with the different diseases, as well as other drugs they were taking. [10]
There is an increased risk of infections of all kinds, including respiratory infections, in people taking immunosuppressive drugs like ocrelizumab. [8] In clinical trials submitted to the FDA, more people taking ocrelizumab got infections than people taking Interferon beta-1a did, including upper and lower respiratory infections, herpes, and hepatitis B reactivation. [8] The risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a disease caused by viral infection of the brain, is also increased. [8] Due to B Cell depletion Ocrevus may also interfere with the effectiveness of live and live-attenuated vaccines. [16]
An increased risk of malignancy with ocrelizumab may exist. [8] In controlled trials, malignancies, including breast cancer, occurred more frequently in people treated with ocrelizumab. [8] Breast cancer occurred in 6 of 781 females treated with ocrelizumab for multiple sclerosis in clinical trials. [8] None of 668 females treated in Rebif (interferon beta-1a) or placebo arms of the clinical trials developed breast cancer. [8]
Ocrelizumab is an immunosuppressive drug; it binds to CD20, which is selectively made and membrane expressed by B cells. When ocrelizumab binds to CD20 on B cells, these cells are deleted by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and, to a lesser extent, complement-dependent cytotoxicity. [10] [17]
Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to a CD20 epitope that overlaps partially with the epitope to which rituximab binds. [10] It has an immunoglobulin G1 with a variable region against human CD20, with a human-mouse monoclonal 2H7 γ1-chain, bound via disulfide links with human-mouse monoclonal 2H7 κ-chain in a dimer. [18]
A study of rituximab in MS with strong results, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2008, drove interest in B-cell depletion as a strategy to treat MS and has led to extensive off-label use of rituximab to treat primary and relapsing MS. [10] [19] Rituximab is a mouse protein, and is immunogenic in humans, and Genentech and its parent Roche decided to focus on the similar, but humanized mAb that they already had, ocrelizumab, for MS instead. [12]
Clinical trials in people with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus were halted in 2010 because people with these conditions developed too many opportunistic infections when taking ocrelizumab. [10] [20] It was also studied in hematological cancer. [21]
In MS, phase II results were announced in October 2010, and in October 2015, Genentech presented interim results of three Phase III clinical trials. [22] In February 2016 the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. [23]
On 28 March 2017, the FDA approved ocrelizumab for relapsing-remitting and primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. It is the first FDA-approved treatment for the primary progressive form. [24] [11] When the FDA approved the drug, it required Roche to conduct several Phase IV clinical trials, including: a two-part study in people between ten and 17 years old with relapsing multiple sclerosis to determine dosing, then safety and efficacy in these people, required to be completed by 2024; a prospective five-year study to better understand the risk of cancer, required to be completed by 2030; a prospective study creating a registry of women with MS exposed to ocrelizumab before and during pregnancy, women with MS not exposed to ocrelizumab, and women without MS, to understand the effect on women and children they might bear, due by 2029; an additional pregnancy outcomes study due by 2024; and an additional non-human primate study on fetal development and outcomes due by 2019. [13]
The efficacy of ocrelizumab for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS was shown in two clinical trials in 1,656 participants treated for 96 weeks. [24] [25] Both studies compared ocrelizumab to another MS drug, Rebif (interferon beta-1a). [24] In both studies, the patients receiving ocrelizumab had reduced relapse rates and reduced worsening of disability compared to Rebif. [24] [25] The trials were conducted in the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Australia. [25]
In a study of PPMS in 732 participants treated for at least 120 weeks, those receiving ocrelizumab showed a longer time to the worsening of disability compared to placebo. [24] [25] The study was conducted in the US, Canada, and Europe. [25]
The application for ocrelizumab was granted breakthrough therapy, fast track, and priority review designations. [24] The FDA granted approval of Ocrevus to Genentech, Inc. [24]
Ocrelizumab was approved for use in the European Union in January 2018. [9] In June, the European Commission granted marketing authorisation for ocrelizumab for subcutaneous injection. [26]
Genentech, Inc. is an American biotechnology corporation headquartered in South San Francisco, California. It became an independent subsidiary of Roche in 2009. Genentech Research and Early Development operates as an independent center within Roche. Historically, the company is regarded as the world's first biotechnology company.
Interferon beta-1a is a cytokine in the interferon family used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). It is produced by mammalian cells, while interferon beta-1b is produced in modified E. coli. Some research indicates that interferon injections may result in an 18–38% reduction in the rate of MS relapses.
Daclizumab is a therapeutic humanized monoclonal antibody which was used for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Daclizumab works by binding to CD25, the alpha subunit of the IL-2 receptor of T-cells.
Hyaluronidases are a family of enzymes that catalyse the degradation of hyaluronic acid. Karl Meyer classified these enzymes in 1971, into three distinct groups, a scheme based on the enzyme reaction products. The three main types of hyaluronidases are two classes of eukaryotic endoglycosidase hydrolases and a prokaryotic lyase-type of glycosidase.
Rituximab, sold under the brand name Rituxan among others, is a monoclonal antibody medication used to treat certain autoimmune diseases and types of cancer. It is used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, pemphigus vulgaris, myasthenia gravis and Epstein–Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcers. It is given by slow intravenous infusion.
Cancer immunotherapy (immuno-oncotherapy) is the stimulation of the immune system to treat cancer, improving the immune system's natural ability to fight the disease. It is an application of the fundamental research of cancer immunology (immuno-oncology) and a growing subspecialty of oncology.
Natalizumab, sold under the brand name Tysabri among others, is a medication used to treat multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. It is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the cell adhesion molecule α4-integrin. It is given by intravenous infusion. The drug is believed to work by reducing the ability of inflammatory immune cells to attach to and pass through the cell layers lining the intestines and blood–brain barrier.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Several therapies for it exist, although there is no known cure.
Belimumab, sold under the brand name Benlysta, is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-cell activating factor (BAFF), also known as B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). It is approved in the United States and Canada, and the European Union to treat systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.
Ofatumumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody to CD20, which appears to provide rapid B-cell depletion. Under the brand name Kesimpta, it is approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the United States as well as in the European Union and other regions. Under the brand name Arzerra, it is approved for the treatment of certain types of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the United States. It is sold by Novartis under license from Genmab.
Research in multiple sclerosis may find new pathways to interact with the disease, improve function, curtail attacks, or limit the progression of the underlying disease. Many treatments already in clinical trials involve drugs that are used in other diseases or medications that have not been designed specifically for multiple sclerosis. There are also trials involving the combination of drugs that are already in use for multiple sclerosis. Finally, there are also many basic investigations that try to understand the disease better and in the future may help to find new treatments.
Obinutuzumab, sold under the brand name Gazyva among others, is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody used as a treatment for cancer. It was originated by GlycArt Biotechnology AG and developed by Roche.
Stephen L. Hauser is a professor of the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) specializing in immune mechanisms and multiple sclerosis (MS). He has contributed to the establishment of consortia that have identified more than 50 gene variants that contribute to MS risk.
Ublituximab, sold under the brand name Briumvi, is an immunomodulator used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It is a CD20-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody.
Siponimod, sold under the brand name Mayzent, is a selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator for oral use that is used for multiple sclerosis (MS). It is intended for once-daily oral administration.
There are several ways for pharmaceuticals for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) to reach the market.
Emapalumab, sold under the brand name Gamifant, is an anti-interferon-gamma (IFNγ) antibody medication used for the treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which has no cure.
Otilimab is a fully human antibody which has been developed by the biotechnology company MorphoSys. It can also be referred to as HuCAL antibody, HuCAL standing for Human Combinatorial Antibody Library and being a technology used to generate monoclonal antibodies. Otilimab is directed against the granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a monomeric glycoprotein functioning as a cytokine promoting both proliferation and activation of macrophages and neutrophils.
Mosunetuzumab, sold under the brand name Lunsumio, is a monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of follicular lymphoma. It bispecifically binds CD20 and CD3 to engage T-cells. It was developed by Genentech.
Ocrelizumab/hyaluronidase, sold under the brand name Ocrevus Zunovo, is a fixed-dose combination medication used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It contains ocrelizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed at CD20; and hyaluronidase, an endoglycosidase. It is taken by subcutaneous injection.