Type Whole antibody Routes ofadministration Intravenous | Trade names Darzalex | |
AHFS/Drugs.com Multum Consumer Information | ||
Daratumumab (trade name Darzalex) is an anti-cancer drug. It binds to CD38, which multiple myeloma cells overexpress. Daratumumab was originally developed by Genmab, but it is now being jointly developed by Genmab along with the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Biotech, which acquired worldwide commercialization rights to the drug from Genmab.
Contents
Daratumumab was given breakthrough therapy drug status in 2013 for multiple myeloma. It was awarded orphan drug status for multiple myeloma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma.
Medical uses
In November 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved daratumumab for treatment of multiple myeloma in patients who had received at least three prior therapies. In May 2016 daratumumab was also conditionally approved by the European Medicines Agency for treatment of multiple myeloma.
In November 2016, the FDA approved daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide or bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.
The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation on 20 May 2016. In the European Union it is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, whose prior therapy included a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.
Interference with blood compatibility testing
Daratumumab can also bind to CD38 present on red blood cells and interfere with routine testing for clinically significant antibodies. Patients will show a panreactive antibody panel, including a positive auto-control, which tends to mask the presence of any clinically significant antibodies. Treatment of the antibody panel cells with dithiothreitol (DTT) and repeating testing will effectively negate the binding of daratumumab to CD38 on the red blood cell surface; however, DTT also inactivates/destroys many antigens on the red blood cell surface by disrupting disulfide bonds. Fortunately, the only antigen system affected that is associated with common, clinically significant antibodies is Kell, making crossmatch testing with K-negative RBCs a reasonable alternative when urgent transfusion is indicated.
Mechanism of action
Daratumumab is an IgG1k monoclonal antibody directed against CD38. CD38 is overexpressed in multiple myeloma cells. Daratumumab binds to CD38, causing cells to apoptose via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity or complement-dependent cytotoxicity.
History
Encouraging preliminary results were reported in June 2012 from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Updated trial results presented in December 2012 indicate daratumumab is continuing to show promising single-agent anti-myeloma activity. A 2015 study compared monotherapy 8 and 16 mg/kg at monthly to weekly intervals.
Daratumumab was given priority review status by the FDA for multiple myeloma as a combination therapy (second line).