Ocrelizumab
Encyclopedia
Ocrelizumab is a humanize
d anti-CD20
monoclonal antibody. It targets mature B lymphocyte
s and hence is an immunosuppressive drug
candidate. It is under development by Hoffmann–La Roche's subsidiary Genentech
, and Biogen Idec
.
It had reached Phase III clinical trial
s for rheumatoid arthritis
and lupus erythematosus
, and Phase II for multiple sclerosis
and hematological cancer.
In March 2010, Roche announced the suspension of clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. This step followed excess deaths due to opportunistic infection
s. Development for multiple sclerosis continues.
In October 2010 Roche announced 24 week results from the PhII study in relapse remitting MS
. The drug demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in disease activity as measured by brain lesions (measured by MRI scans
) and relapse rate compared to placebo. Both doses (200 mg & 600 mg) were well tolerated.
Humanize
Humanize may refer to:*Humanize a 2001 album by the British jazz/funk band Big Boss Man*Humanized antibody, a type of monoclonal antibody...
d anti-CD20
CD20
B-lymphocyte antigen CD20 or CD20 is an activated-glycosylated phosphoprotein expressed on the surface of all B-cells beginning at the pro-B phase and progressively increasing in concentration until maturity....
monoclonal antibody. It targets mature B lymphocyte
B cell
B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response . The principal functions of B cells are to make antibodies against antigens, perform the role of antigen-presenting cells and eventually develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction...
s and hence is an immunosuppressive drug
Immunosuppressive drug
Immunosuppressive drugs or immunosuppressive agents are drugs that inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system. They are used in immunosuppressive therapy to:...
candidate. It is under development by Hoffmann–La Roche's subsidiary Genentech
Genentech
Genentech Inc., or Genetic Engineering Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology corporation, founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. Trailing the founding of Cetus by five years, it was an important step in the evolution of the biotechnology industry...
, and Biogen Idec
Biogen Idec
Biogen Idec, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in drugs for neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders and cancer. The company was formed in 2003 by the merger of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Biogen Inc. and San Diego, California-based IDEC Pharmaceuticals...
.
It had reached Phase III clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
s for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
and lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a category for a collection of diseases with similar underlying problems with immunity . Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs...
, and Phase II for multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
and hematological cancer.
In March 2010, Roche announced the suspension of clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. This step followed excess deaths due to opportunistic infection
Opportunistic infection
An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens, particularly opportunistic pathogens—those that take advantage of certain situations—such as bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan infections that usually do not cause disease in a healthy host, one with a healthy immune system...
s. Development for multiple sclerosis continues.
In October 2010 Roche announced 24 week results from the PhII study in relapse remitting MS
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. The drug demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in disease activity as measured by brain lesions (measured by MRI scans
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
) and relapse rate compared to placebo. Both doses (200 mg & 600 mg) were well tolerated.
See also
Other CD20 antagonists :- RituximabRituximabRituximab, sold under the trade names Rituxan and MabThera, is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20, which is primarily found on the surface of B cells...
, a chimeric CD20 antagonist. - OfatumumabOfatumumabOfatumumab is a human monoclonal antibody which appears to inhibit early-stage B lymphocyte activation...
(HuMax-CD20) a fully human CD20 antagonist....