GBR 1342 is an investigational therapy, being developed by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, to treat multiple myeloma patients who failed to respond to prior therapies. The treatment was granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What is multiple myeloma?
Myeloma is a form of cancer that affects blood cells. Like with most cancers, the cells become abnormal and grow out of control, doing damage. All blood cells develop in the bone marrow; because myeloma can start simultaneously in different bones, it is often called multiple myeloma.
Myeloma cells produce abnormal antibodies, which interfere with immune function and cause many of the disease’s symptoms.
How does GBR 1342 work?
GBR 1342 is an antibody therapy, based on Glenmark’s BEAT platform, which uses the immune system to target myeloma cells. A type of immune cell called T cells are responsible for recognizing antibodies bound to targets (usually cells infected with bacteria or viruses). If the antibody is bound to a cell, the T-cell triggers self-destruction mechanisms in the infected cells.
BEAT stands for bispecific engagement by antibodies based on the T-cell receptor. The antibody in GBR 1342 is similar to a natural antibody, but can bind two targets at once. It is designed to bind to a protein on the surface of T-cells called CD3, as well as to a protein called CD38 that is found on the surface of myeloma cells.
By interacting with both these cells at the same time, GBR 1342 is designed to activate T-cells and bring them closer to myeloma cells, triggering an immune response against the cancer. Essentially, the T-cells cause the myeloma cells to self-destruct. In this way, GBR 1342 may be able to treat myeloma.
GBR 1342 in clinical trials
In pre-clinical studies, BEAT antibodies demonstrated lower toxicity than other antibody treatments.
An open-label Phase 1 trial (NCT03309111) is recruiting 125 people at multiple sites in the U.S. to test the safety, efficacy, and maximum tolerated dose of GBR 1342 in previously treated myeloma patients. The study will also assess disease markers to determine how many patients respond to treatment.
Last updated: Nov. 15, 2019
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