Tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide is currently in clinical development for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). DLBCL is a type of blood cancer that develops when white blood cells, called lymphocytes, grow out of control. The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting ability making the body more susceptible to infection. The first symptom of DLBCL is often a painful swelling in the neck, armpit or groin but there may be other more general symptoms such as night sweats, unintentional weight loss or high temperature. Relapsed cancer refers to cancer that initially responded to treatment but then returned. Refractory cancer refers to cancer that did not respond to treatment.
Tafasitamab is administered by intravenous infusion and works by blocking the protein CD19 which is widely found on the surface of B-cells (a type of lymphocytes). CD19 is considered important for B-cell signalling and therefore blocking this protein induces death in the cancerous B-cells. Lenalidomide works by altering the activity of the body’s immune system in order to attack abnormal cells. If licenced, tafasitamab Page 2 of 10 in combination with lenalidomide will offer an additional treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL.