Hard-to-Treat Lymphoma Patients Benefit From New Immunotherapy

A new immunotherapy drug is showing positive results for patients with an aggressive form of blood cancer. AZD0486, a bispecific antibody, has demonstrated effectiveness in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including in patients who have not responded to multiple prior therapies such as CAR-T cell treatment. These findings, presented at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting, represent progress in treating this challenging disease.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for about 30% of all cases. While many patients respond to initial treatment, those who relapse or become resistant to standard therapies have limited options. AZD0486 may offer a new option for these patients.

Sameh Gaballa, MD

The drug works by binding to proteins on lymphoma and T cells, bringing the body's immune cells into contact with the cancer. This allows for a targeted attack on the tumor. In the ongoing phase 1 clinical trial, AZD0486 showed an overall response rate of 47% and a complete response rate of 42% in patients.

"We're seeing durable responses in patients who have exhausted other treatment options,” said Sameh Gaballa, MD, a medical oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center who presented the trial data at the meeting. "As an off-the-shelf drug, it could reach more patients who need new treatment options, without delays like we have seen with CAR T-cell manufacturing."

AZD0486 was generally well tolerated by patients. Researchers used a new dosing strategy to reduce the risk of severe side effects often associated with similar therapies.

Gaballa noted that larger studies are needed to confirm the drug's effectiveness and safety. The clinical trial is ongoing, with researchers evaluating higher doses of AZD0486 in this patient population.