GSK drug shows anti-tumour responses in leukaemia patients

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that ofatumumab, its novel anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown anti-tumour responses in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Ofatumumab is a novel investigational monoclonal antibody that targets the small loop epitope of the CD20 molecule on the cell membrane of B cells, a distinct antibody binding site.

GSK notes that this binding site is closer to the cell membrane than those targeted by already-approved anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and is closer.

Data from the phase I/II study published in the current issue of the Blood journal revealed that the compound demonstrated anti-tumour responses in half the patients treated in the highest of three cohorts.

Professor Bertrand Coiffier, head of the haematology department at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon, said: “Almost all patients with CLL experience disease progression after initial therapy and currently there are limited therapeutic options for this group.”

He added that the early-stage clinical data for the compound are encouraging.

Last month, GSK announced a payment of 87.2 million Danish kroner (8.7 million pounds) according to the terms of a deal with Genmab after the first patient was treated in a phase II clinical study of ofatumumab.