New research published by IOR on targeting lymphomas with an antibody-drug conjugate

The Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), affiliated to USI, is pleased to announce the publication of a study in the journal Haematologica. The study explores the potent anti-cancer activity of loncastuximab tesirine, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CD19-positive B cell lymphomas. The research, led by Dr Chiara Tarantelli (IOR Senior Investigator) and Prof. Francesco Bertoni (IOR Group Leader and Deputy Director, USI Adjunct Professor), involves a collaborative effort from prominent institutions, including Case Western Reserve University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine, among others.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are an exciting advancement in cancer treatment, combining targeted therapy's precision with traditional chemotherapy's potency. Essentially, ADCs are designed like smart bombs for cancer cells. They consist of three parts: an antibody, a protein that specifically recognizes and binds to cancer cells; a powerful anti-cancer drug; and a linker that connects the drug to the antibody. This design allows ADCs to deliver the chemotherapy drug directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells and reducing side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy.

The new study presents compelling preclinical evidence demonstrating the strong cytotoxic activity of the ADC loncastuximab tesirine across a diverse array of B cell lymphoma cell lines. The findings indicate a significant correlation between the ADC's efficacy and CD19 expression levels on the surface of the cancer cells. Furthermore, the research highlights the enhanced therapeutic potential when loncastuximab tesirine is combined with other anti-cancer agents, such as BCL2 and PI3K inhibitors. This synergy could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with aggressive forms of lymphoma, including those resistant to current standard therapies.

For more information, please refer to the full article, titled "Targeting CD19-positive lymphomas with the antibody-drug conjugate loncastuximab tesirine: preclinical evidence as a single agent and in combination therapy" in the latest issue of Haematologica.

https://haematologica.org/article/view/haematol.2023.284197

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved ADC Therapeutics’ CD19-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl), for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (NOS), DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma and also high-grade B-cell lymphoma. This indication is approved by the FDA under accelerated approval and in the European Union under conditional approval based on overall response rate and continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. Please see full prescribing information including important safety information about ZYNLONTA at www.ZYNLONTA.com.

ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of ADCs based in Lausanne (Biopôle), Switzerland and has operations in London and New Jersey. The Company is advancing its proprietary ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. For more information, please visit https://adctherapeutics.com/ and follow the Company on LinkedIn.

ZYNLONTA® is a registered trademark of ADC Therapeutics SA.