Update on elotuzumab, a novel anti-SLAMF7 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multiple myeloma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In 2015, 4 new drugs were approved for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who experience drug resistance and relapsing disease, offering potential for improved patient outcomes. Given the mortality, morbidity, and projected rise in the incidence of multiple myeloma, more effective, novel therapies and treatment combinations are needed for patients at each stage of the disease.

Areas covered: Here, the authors examine published data regarding the development and clinical investigation of elotuzumab, a SLAMF7-targeted monoclonal antibody, for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. The clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of elotuzumab treatment are summarized.

Expert opinion: Elotuzumab, a first-in-class immunostimulatory monoclonal antibody, is indicated in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received 1–3 prior therapies. Elotuzumab has the potential for use in patients in the upfront setting, in combination with other backbone regimens, as well as maintenance therapy. Trials demonstrate clinical benefit of adding elotuzumab to conventional lenalidomide and dexamethasone therapy, without additive toxicity. Data suggest that elotuzumab may provide clinical benefit in combination with proteasome inhibitors. Elotuzumab combination therapy is currently under further evaluation in the relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed settings.

KEYWORDS:

• SLAMF7
• CS1
• elotuzumab
• empliciti
• IgG1
• monoclonal antibody
• multiple myeloma

Declaration of interest

S Lonial has acted as a consultant and received research funding from Millennium, Celgene, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Onyx, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Sanofi. J Kaufman has received research support from Merck, Celgene, and Novartis, and has acted as a consultant for Incyte and Pharmacyclics. D Reece has received research support from Celgene, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Otsuka, Novartis, Millennium Takeda, and Novartis; has acted as a consultant for Celgene, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Onyx; and has received honoraria from Celgene, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Novartis, and Lundbeck. M Mateos has acted as a consultant for Takeda, Janssen-Cilag, Onyx, and Celgene; and has received honoraria from Janssen-Cilag and Celgene. J Laubach has received research funding from Novartis, Onyx, Celgene, and Millennium. P Richardson has served on advisory committees for Celgene, Millennium, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Writing assistance was utilized in this manuscript and was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Additional information

Funding

This review was supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Under the direction of the authors, medical writing and editorial assistance was provided by Gwendolyn Wood, PhD, of Caudex, New York, USA, and was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb.