Phase 1b study of otlertuzumab (TRU-016), an anti-CD37 monospecific ADAPTIR™ therapeutic protein, in combination with rituximab and bendamustine in relapsed indolent lymphoma patients

Purpose CD37 is cell surface tetraspanin present on normal and malignant B cells. Otlertuzumab (TRU-016) is a novel humanized anti-CD37 protein therapeutic that triggers direct caspase independent apoptosis of malignant B cells and induces antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of otlertuzumab administered in combination with rituximab and bendamustine to patients with relapsed, indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Methods Patients with relapsed or refractory NHL received otlertuzumab (10 or 20 mg/kg) intravenously (IV) on days 1 and 15, bendamustine (90 mg/m²) on days 1 and 2, and rituximab (375 mg/m²) on day 1 for up to six 28 day cycles. Responses were determined using standard criteria. Results Twelve patients were treated with 6 patients at each dose level; median age was 57 years (range, 51–79), and median number of prior regimens was 3 (range, 1–4). All patients had relapsed after prior rituximab including 7 refractory to their most recent previous treatment. In the 10 and 20 mg/kg dose cohorts, the mean half-life was 8 and 10 days following the first dose, and 12 or 14 days following 12 doses of otlertuzumab, respectively. Overall response rate was 83 % (10/12) with 4 CRs (32 %). The most frequent adverse events were neutropenia, nausea, fatigue, leukopenia, and insomnia; most were grade 1 or 2. Conclusions Otlertuzumab in combination with rituximab and bendamustine was well tolerated and induced responses in the majority of patients with relapsed indolent B-NHL. NCI Clinical Trials Network registration: NCT01317901.