In preclinical studies, Genmab's HuMax-CD38 effective in killing multiple myeloma, plasma cell leukemia cells

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Dec. 12 - Genmab AS announced Monday that HuMax-CD38 was effective in killing primary multiple myeloma cells and plasma cell leukemia cells in preclinical studies.

HuMax-CD38 is a human IgG1k antibody that targets the CD38 molecule, which is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma tumor cells, according to a company news release.

HuMax-CD38 was more effective in triggering both antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement dependent cytotoxicity immune-system killing mechanisms than a broad array of other human CD38 antibodies when tested on a panel of over 10 primary tumors from multiple myeloma patients, confirming earlier study results, officials said.

HuMax-CD38 also potently killed tumor cells from a patient with a CD38/138 positive plasma cell leukemia, which was refractory to chemotherapy at the time of analysis. Plasma cell leukemia is a manifestation of multiple myeloma in which tumor cells are present in the blood, officials said.

Officials said HuMax-CD38 also effectively prevented the growth of CD38 positive cancer cells in an animal model.

"These preclinical studies indicate that HuMax-CD38 may potentially be useful in the treatment of plasma cell leukemia, in addition to multiple myeloma," said Lisa N. Drakeman, chief executive officer of Genmab. "We are excited by the data and are looking forward to seeing more preclinical results."

These data were presented Monday during a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

Genmab is a Copenhagen, Denmark biotechnology company that creates and develops human antibodies for the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating diseases.

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