1. Academic Validation
  2. Rovalpituzumab Tesirine: A Novel DLL3-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate

Rovalpituzumab Tesirine: A Novel DLL3-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate

  • Drugs R D. 2018 Dec;18(4):255-258. doi: 10.1007/s40268-018-0247-7.
Bilal H Lashari 1 Yazhini Vallatharasu 2 Lakshmi Kolandra 3 Mohsin Hamid 3 Dipesh Uprety 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Internal Medicine, Abington, Jefferson Health, Abington, PA, USA. bilal.lashari@jefferson.edu.
  • 2 Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, WI, USA.
  • 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Abington, Jefferson Health, Abington, PA, USA.
Abstract

Small cell lung Cancer (SCLC) comprises about 15% of all cases of lung Cancer. In recent years, owing to a change in the epidemiology of smoking habits, the incidence of the tumor has decreased; however, it remains a significant challenge to global health. While the tumor has a favorable initial response to chemoradiation, relapse is invariable, and second-line regimens may be intolerable given the severity of side effects. For patients with tumors resistant to second-line regimens, no current standard regimens exist. Rovalpituzumab tesirine is a novel antibody-drug conjugate, targeting delta-like protein 3, fundamental in the downstream cellular signaling for proliferation and Apoptosis. This drug is reported to have shown promise in pre-clinical and phase I trials. It appears effective in decreasing tumor burden and is reported to be well tolerated, albeit with a significant adverse effect profile. Currently, it is being studied as part of initial and subsequent line chemotherapeutic regimens; it remains to be seen if this is a viable option in the treatment of SCLC. This may add to the agents that can be used against SCLC, and help improve outcomes.

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