The treatment landscape for patients with newly diagnosed acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may improve with the use of a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that modulates the activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) pathway called itolizumab.
Data from the multicenter, dose-ascending phase 1b/2 EQUATE study (NCT03763318) that were presented during the virtual 2021 Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings showed that administration of itolizumab resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of CD6 expression on T-effector cells. Additionally, a 100% overall response rate (ORR) at the 2 highest dose levels at day 29 was observed, with almost all responses being complete responses, said lead study author John Koreth, MBBS, PhD.
“The dose-dependent reduction of CD6 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is consistent with the expected mechanism of action [of itolizumab],” said…
