A phase II multicenter study of visilizumab, humanized anti-CD3 antibody, to treat steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease

A phase II multicenter study of visilizumab, humanized anti-CD3 antibody, to treat steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease BIOLOGY OF BLOOD AND MARROW TRANSPLANTATION Carpenter, P. A., Lowder, J., Johnston, L., Frangoul, H., Khoury, H., Parker, P., Jerome, K. R., McCune, J. S., Storer, B., Martin, P., Appelbaum, F., Abonour, R., Westervelt, P., Anasetti, C. 2005; 11 (6): 465–71

Abstract

Results of a previous phase I study suggested that a single 3 mg/m2 dose of the humanized non-FcR-binding anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody visilizumab (Nuvion) was well tolerated and had efficacy for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We now report results of a multicenter phase II study in which visilizumab was given to 44 participants with steroid-refractory acute GVHD. Eighty-two percent of the participants had visceral involvement, and 86% had overall grade III or IV acute GVHD at study entry. The respective complete and overall response rates were 14% and 32% at 42 days. Plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA increased to more than 1000 copies per milliliter in 19 subjects. Seventeen received rituximab, and no fatal lymphoproliferative disorders were observed. Survival at 180 days was 32% (95% confidence interval, 18%-46%). The administration of visilizumab as used in this study seems to be sufficiently safe and effective to warrant further assessment for treatment or prevention of GVHD.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbmt.2005.03.002

View details for Web of Science ID 000230059800007

View details for PubMedID 15931635