Loncastuximab tesirine is an antibody-drug conjugate used for the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-cell lymphomas.

Relapsed and refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a therapeutic challenge for patients who have undergone prior systemic therapies with limited success.[rx] Prognosis is poor and more effective therapies are needed to treat relapsed/refractory cases and improve survival. On April 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for the antibody-drug conjugate, loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl, also known as Zynlonta. This therapy was developed by ADC Therapeutics and its accelerated approval for relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma is based on promising results from the LOTIS-2 clinical trial.[rx,rx]

Mechanism of action

Human CD19 antigen is a membrane glycoprotein in the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed in the various stages of B-cell development; it is detected in most malignancies of B-cell origin. Additionally, CD19 has rapid internalization kinetics and does not shed into the general circulation, rendering it a useful therapeutic target for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in the treatment of B-cell malignancies.[rx]

Loncastuximab tesirine is an antibody-drug conjugate designed to target human CD19. It is a humanized monoclonal antibody and conjugated to SG3199, a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer cytotoxin by a protease enzyme cleavable valine-alanine linker.[rx] The monoclonal IgG1 kappa antibody component binds to CD19, a transmembrane protein located on B-cell surfaces. The small molecule component, SG3199, functions as a PBD dimer and alkylating agent. Following binding to CD19, loncastuximab tesirine becomes internalized into the cell and subsequently proteolytic cleavage releases the SG3199 component. SG3199 binds to the DNA minor groove, forming cytotoxic DNA interstrand crosslinks, leading to B-cell cell death.[rx]

Loncastuximab tesirine exhibits antitumour activity against malignant B-cells, treating lymphomas. Higher exposure in Cycle 1 of therapy in clinical trials was associated with an increased incidence of Grade ≥2 adverse reactions, including liver function test abnormalities, skin and nail reactions, and liver function test abnormalities.[rx]

Indications

  • Loncastuximab tesirine is indicated for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma who have undergone two or more prior lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma. The above indication is approved under accelerated FDA approval following the results of clinical studies. Continued approval is dependent upon the results of confirmatory clinical trials.[rx]
  • Refractory Large B-cell Lymphoma
  • Relapsed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
  • Loncastuximab tesirine is indicated for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma.
  • For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after 2 or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma

Use in Cancer

Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl is approved to treat:

  • B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), including the following types:
    • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
    • DLBCL in patients who had low-grade lymphoma.
    • High-grade B-cell lymphoma.

    It is used in adults whose cancer has relapsed (come back) or has not gotten better after at least two types of systemic therapy.

Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl is approved under FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program. As a condition of approval, confirmatory trial(s) must show that it provides a clinical benefit in these patients.

Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Contraindications

  • a bad infection
  • anemia
  • decreased blood platelets
  • low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • Child-Pugh class A liver impairment

Dosage

Strengths: lpyl 10 mg

Lymphoma

  • 0.15 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes on Day 1 of each cycle (every 3 weeks) for 2 cycles, then 0.075 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes every 3 weeks for subsequent cycles
  • Premedicate with dexamethasone 4 mg orally or IV 2 times a day for 3 days beginning the day before this drug.
  • If dexamethasone administration does not begin the day before this drug, dexamethasone should begin at least 2 hours prior to administration of this drug.

Dose Adjustments

DOSE DELAYS OR MODIFICATIONS: HEMATOLOGIC ADVERSE REACTIONS:

  • Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count less than 1 x 10(9)/L): Withhold this drug until neutrophil counts return to 1 x 10(9)/L or higher.
  • Thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 50,000/mcL): Withhold this drug until platelet count returns to 50,000/mcL or higher.

NONHEMATOLOGIC ADVERSE REACTIONS:
Edema or Effusion:

  • Grade 2 or higher: Withhold this drug until the toxicity resolves to Grade 1 or less.

Other Adverse Reactions:

  • Grade 3 or higher: Withhold this drug until the toxicity resolved to Grade 1 or less.
  • If dosing is delayed by more than 3 weeks due to toxicity related to this drug, reduce subsequent doses by 50%; if toxicity reoccurs following dose reduction, consider discontinuation.

NOTE: If toxicity requires dose reduction following the second dose of 0.15 mg/kg (Cycle 2), the patient should receive the dose of 0.075 mg/kg for Cycle 3.

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

  • Reconstitute and further dilute this drug prior to infusion.
  • Use appropriate aseptic technique.
  • The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • constipation
  • decreased appetite
  • muscle or joint pain
  • darkening of skin
  • rash
  • itching
  • blistering or peeling skin
  • swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower leg
  • weight gain
  • swelling of the stomach area
  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty breathing
  • chest pain
  • fever, chills, headache, sore throat, ongoing cough and congestion, or other signs of infection
  • warm, red, painful or swollen skin following a cut or scrape
  • unusual bleeding or bruising

More common

  • Black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • body aches or pain
  • chills
  • cough
  • ear congestion
  • fever
  • headache
  • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • itching, skin rash
  • loss of voice
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle or bone pain
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • redness or other discoloration of the skin
  • severe sunburn
  • sore throat
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
  • swelling or puffiness of the face
  • tightness in the chest
  • trouble breathing
  • ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

  • Anxiety
  • blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
  • blue or pale skin
  • chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
  • confusion
  • cracked, dry, scaly skin
  • darkening of the skin
  • dizziness
  • dry cough
  • fainting
  • fast heartbeat
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • lightheadedness
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • sneezing
  • thickening of bronchial secretions
  • Back pain
  • constipation
  • decreased appetite
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty in moving
  • joint pain
  • lack or loss of strength
  • muscle aches, cramps, or stiffness
  • nausea
  • stomach pain
  • swollen joints
  • unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
  • vomiting

Drug Interactions

Pregnancy and Lactation

US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.

Pregnancy

Based on its mechanism of action, ZYNLONTA can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, because it contains a genotoxic compound (SG3199) and affects actively dividing cells [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) and Nonclinical Toxicology
(13.1)]. There are no available data on the use of ZYNLONTA in pregnant women to evaluate for drug-associated risk. No animal reproduction studies were conducted with ZYNLONTA. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other
adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Lactation

There is no data on the presence of loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl or SG3199 in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ZYNLONTA and for 3 months after the last dose.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl injection is used to treat a certain type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL; a type of cancer that begins in a type of white blood cells that normally fights infection) that did not respond to or has returned after treatment with at least two other cancer treatments. Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl is in a class of medications called antibody-drug conjugates. It works by killing cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?

Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected into a vein over 30 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or medical facility. It is usually injected once every 3 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment.

Your doctor will probably treat you with another medication before and for 2 days after each dose to help prevent certain side effects. Your doctor may need to temporarily or permanently stop your treatment or decrease your dose of loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl during your treatment. This depends on how well the medication works for you and the side effects you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl.

You should know that loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl should be administered only into a vein. However, it may leak into surrounding tissue causing severe irritation or damage. Your doctor or nurse will monitor the area near where the medication was injected. If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately: pain, itching, redness, swelling, or sores near the place where the medication was injected. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl injection,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
  • tell your doctor if you have or recently have had an infection or if you have or have ever had liver problems.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are receiving loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl. If you are female, you may need to have a pregnancy test before you start treatment, and you should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl and for 9 months after your final dose. If you are male, you and your female partner should use birth control during your treatment and continue to use birth control for 6 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl, call your doctor immediately. Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl may harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are receiving loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl and for 3 months after your final dose.
  • you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl injection.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl injection.
  • plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

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