Loncastuximab Tesirine Efficacious, Safe for Patients With R/R DLBCL

Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl (lonca) is a promising treatment that has shown efficacy and safety in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL), according to study findings published in Therapeutic Advances in Hematology.

“Lonca is an antibody-drug conjugate which consists of the humanized antibody directed against CD19 and tesirine,” explained authors from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

The phase I LOTIS-1 trial investigated lonca treatment in 183 patients with relapsed, refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 75% of whom had r/r DLBCL.

In participants with DLBCL, the overall response rate was 42.3%, median progression-free survival was 2.8 months, and median overall survival was 7.5 months, the review explained.

The phase II LOTIS-2 trial included 145 patients with r/r DLBCL. In participants who received at least one dose of lonca, the overall response rate was 48.3%, median progression-free survival was 4.9 months, and median overall survival was 9.9 months.

“The follow-up data for LOTIS-2 has shown durable responses,” reported study authors, “including in high-risk groups.”

The safety profile that emerged from LOTIS-1 was tolerable. Major adverse effects included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and accumulation of fluid, according to the report. LOTIS-2 revealed a similar safety profile.

“Due to its safety and efficacy reported in the above trials, loncastuximab tesirine was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of r/r DLBCL,” wrote authors. “Several clinical trials are ongoing to assess its safety and efficacy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma in various clinical settings.”

Reference:
Furqan F, Hamadani M. Loncastuximab tesirine in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a review of clinical data. Ther Adv Hematol. 2022;13:20406207221087511. doi:10.1177/20406207221087511