Daratumumab

Overview of the monoclonal antibody Daratumumab

Daratumumab
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Daratumumab is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. It targets the CD38 protein, which is highly expressed on the surface of myeloma cells.

Mechanism of Action

Daratumumab is a human IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody that binds to the CD38 molecule. CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with multiple functions, including receptor-mediated adhesion, signal transduction, and enzymatic activity. By binding to CD38, daratumumab induces tumor cell death through several mechanisms:

• Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC): Daratumumab recruits natural killer cells to the tumor site, leading to the destruction of myeloma cells.
• Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC): The binding of daratumumab activates the complement cascade, resulting in cell lysis.
• Apoptosis: Direct induction of programmed cell death in myeloma cells.

Clinical Use

Daratumumab is approved for use in patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. It is often used in combination with other agents such as lenalidomide and dexamethasone.

Administration

Daratumumab is administered as an intravenous infusion. The dosing schedule typically involves weekly infusions for the first two months, followed by biweekly and then monthly infusions.

Side Effects

Common side effects of daratumumab include:

• Infusion-related reactions
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Back pain
• Fever

Patients receiving daratumumab may also experience a decrease in blood cell counts, leading to anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Research and Development

Daratumumab was developed by Janssen Biotech and Genmab. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Ongoing research is exploring its use in other hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Related pages

• Monoclonal antibody therapy
• Multiple myeloma
• CD38