Pidilizumab

Pidilizumab (formerly CT-011) is a monoclonal antibody being developed by Medivation for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.^[1][2] Pidilizumab was originally thought to bind to the PD-1 immune checkpoint molecule, however, recent evidence suggests that Delta-like 1 is it primary binding target while binding to PD-1 is secondary and restricted to non-glycosylated and hypoglycosylated forms of this molecule.^[3] Pidilizumab causes in the attenuation of apoptotic processes in lymphocytes, primarily effector/memory T cells.

Clinical trials

It had encouraging results by 2011 from phase II clinical trials for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.^[4] A phase II open-label study in combination for relapsed follicular lymphoma found good results compared to usual response rates. A phase I/II open label study in pediatric patients with a rare form of brain cancer, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, found improvement in overall survival compared to expected outcome. An add-on trial for multiple myeloma is ongoing.^[5]

References

1. ↑ Westin; et al. (2014). "Safety and Activity of PD1 Blockade by Pidilizumab in Combination with Rituximab in Patients with Relapsed Follicular Lymphoma: a Single Group, Open-label, Phase 2 Trial". Lancet Oncol. 15: 69–77. PMC 3922714 . PMID 24332512. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70551-5. 
2. ↑ Statement On A Nonproprietary Name Adopted By The USAN Council - Pidilizumab, American Medical Association- needs login.
3. ↑ http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/anti-pd-1-well-no-says-medivation-partial-hold-forces-halt-pivotal-cancer-s/2016-01-26
4. ↑ Teva Invests $19M More in CureTech After Positive Phase II DLBCL Data. Sept 2011
5. ↑ "Lenalidomide and Pidilizumab in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov". clinicaltrials.gov. Retrieved 2015-08-22.