tafasitamab

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tafasitamab

GtoPdb Ligand ID: 11131

Synonyms: Minjuvi® | Monjuvi® | MOR-208 | MOR00208 | MOR208 | tafasitamab-cxix | Xmab5574

tafasitamab is an approved drug (FDA (2020), EMA (2021))

Comment: Tafasitamab (MOR208, formerly Xmab®5574) is a humanized Fc-engineered monoclonal antibody directed against CD19 that was developed by MorphoSys [4]. XmAb® antibodies are designed with modifications in their Fc domain (S239D/I332E mutations) that increase binding to Fcγ receptors on immune cells. This optimises the antibody's Fc-mediated effector function (i.e. antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, ADCC) [1,5]. At the beginning ot 2020, MorphoSys and Incyte Corporation entered into a collaboration and license agreement for the global development and commercialization of tafasitamab (MOR208).

Immunopharmacology Comments
CD19 is expressed very early during B cell development and is therefore present on the majority of both precursor and mature B cell malignant cells. This makes CD19 an ideal molecular target for B cell lymphomas, including those deriving from more mature B cells that don't express CD20 and are therefore resistant to rituximab. Other B cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are also predicted to be sensitive to the anti-CD19 approach.

Immunopharmacology Comments

CD19 is expressed very early during B cell development and is therefore present on the majority of both precursor and mature B cell malignant cells. This makes CD19 an ideal molecular target for B cell lymphomas, including those deriving from more mature B cells that don't express CD20 and are therefore resistant to rituximab. Other B cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are also predicted to be sensitive to the anti-CD19 approach.