CD38 as an immunotherapeutic target in multiple myeloma. (2nd December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonello, Francesca; D'Agostino, Mattia; Moscvin, Maria; Cerrato, Chiara; Boccadoro, Mario; Gay, Francesca
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on biological therapy. Volume 18:Number 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1209
• Page End: 1221
• Publication Date: 2018-12-02
• Subjects: CD38 -- monoclonal antibodies -- bispecific antibodies -- drug conjugates -- CAR T cells -- multiple myeloma; Gene therapy -- Periodicals; Protein drugs -- Periodicals; Peptide drugs -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Drug delivery systems -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1544240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2598

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Multiple myeloma (MM) is a currently incurable hematologic tumor with heterogeneous clinical behavior and prognosis. During the last years, survival improved due to a better understanding of MM biology and the development of novel drugs, although it still remains unsatisfactory in many cases: new drugs and treatment strategies are needed. CD38 is uniformly expressed at high levels on MM cells and, to a lesser extent, on the surface of normal hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells, making this molecule an interesting target for immunotherapeutic approaches. Areas covered : This review discusses the preclinical and clinical experience on different immunotherapeutic agents targeting CD38 in MM. Expert commentary : Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting CD38 are currently changing the treatment scenario in MM, allowing physicians to reach unprecedented results, especially when anti-CD38 mAbs are used in combination with consolidated MM treatments. Other immunotherapies targeting CD38 – such as conjugated anti-CD38 mAbs, bispecific antibodies stimulating T cells to eliminate CD38+ MM cells, and CD38-specific chimeric antigen receptor T cells – are interesting strategies, currently at earlier developmental stages.