Loncastuximab Tesirine for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma – third line

Loncastuximab tesirine 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 ot infection. Relapsed cancer refers to cancer that initially responded to treatment but then returned. Refractory cancer refers to cancer that did not respond to treatment. The prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL remains poor, so there is a need to develop additional treatment options.
Loncastuximab tesirine is administered by intravenous infusion. It is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) where an antibody is joined to a drug that is designed to kill lymphoma cells. The antibody targets a protein called CD19, which is found on the surface of lymphoma cells. The drug is then released into the lymphoma cells resulting in the death of these cells. If licenced, loncastuximab tesirine will offer an additional treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL.