Elotuzumab, sold under the brand name Empliciti, is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody medication used in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, for adults that have received 1 to 3 prior therapies for the treatment of multiple myeloma.[3] It is also indicated for adult patients in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, who have received 2 prior therapies including lenalidomide and a protease inhibitor.[3] Administration of elotuzumab is done intravenously.[3] Each intravenous injection of elotuzumab should be premedicated with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, ranitidine and acetaminophen.[4] It is being developed by Bristol Myers Squibb and AbbVie.[5]
Common side effects of elotuzumab with lenalidomide and dexamethasone includes fatigue, diarrhea, pyrexia, constipation, cough, peripheral neuropathy, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, decreased appetite, and pneumonia.[3] The most common side effects of elotuzumab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone includes constipation and hyperglycemia.[3] There is no available information for the use of elotuzumab in pregnant women.[3]
Elotuzumab is an immunostimulatory antibody that targets the Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family member 7 (SLAMF7) through two mechanisms.[3]
In May 2014, it was granted breakthrough therapy designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (for multiple myeloma).[6] The initial FDA approval of elotuzumab in 2015 in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone was carried out through the results illustrated in the ELOQUENT 2 study.[7] In May 2016 the EC/EU gave a similar approval.[8] Furthermore, the results of the ELOQUENT 3 study led to the FDA approval of elotuzumab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in 2018.
Medical use
Multiple myeloma
Elotuzumab is indicated for adult patients in combination treatment for multiple myeloma in patients that have received 1 to 3 prior therapies.[3] For medical use in multiple myeloma patients, elotuzumab can be combined with either lenalidomide and dexamethasone or pomalidomide and dexamethasone.[3]
Dosage and administration
In combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone
The package insert advises that intravenous administration with 10 mg/kg every week for the first 2 cycles (each cycle is 28 days) and every 2 weeks thereafter, with the appropriate doses of lenalidomide and low dose dexamethasone is acceptable for treatment.[3] For additional information on dosing dexamethasone and/or lenalidomide, refer to the package inserts.[3]
In combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone
Elotuzumab is recommended through intravenous administration at 10 mg/kg each week for the first 2 cycles (each cycle is 28 days).[3] At the start of cycle 3, administer 20 mg/kg every 4 weeks, while administering the recommended dose of pomalidomide and low dose dexamethasone.[3]
Adverse effects
To evaluate the adverse reactions in the Eloquent 2 trial, elotuzumab was combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone and compared with lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone.[3][9][10] The most common adverse reactions (20% or higher) denoted in the elotuzumab treated patients in the study were:[3][9][10]
Similarly, the adverse reactions in the Eloquent 3 trial were examined by comparing the elotuzumab combined with pomalidomide and dexamethasone with the pomalidomide and dexamethasone alone.[3]
Mechanism of action
Elotuzumab is an immunostimulatory antibody that targets signaling lymphocyte activation molecule family member 7, also known as SLAMF7.[13] SLAMF7 is a cell surface glycoprotein that is present on myeloma cells, natural killer cells, plasma cells, and subsets of immune cells of the hematopoietic lineage.[13]
Elotuzumab works by activating the natural killer cells through the SLAMF7 pathway.[3][13] Along with that, the SLAMF7 of the myeloma cells are targeted and flagged, for natural killer cell-mediated destruction through antibody-dependent cellular toxicity.[3][13]
Clinical trials
Eloquent 2 trial
The trial, Elotuzumab Therapy for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma, also known as the Eloquent 2 trial, studied the efficacy and safety of elotuzumab. The objective of the study was to determine if the addition of elotuzumab with lenalidomide and dexamethasone would increase progression-free survival in patients with refractory multiple myeloma.[9][10] This randomized, open-label, phase 3, multicenter trial studied patients 18 years and older with multiple myeloma and measurable disease.[9] With 321 patients designated to the elotuzumab group and 325 to the control group, the elotuzumab group had a significant relative reduction in the risk of disease progression or death.[9]
References
- Prescription medicines: registration of new chemical entities in Australia, 2016 Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), 21 June 2022, retrieved 10 April 2023^
- Health Canada New Drug Authorizations: 2016 Highlights Health Canada, 14 March 2017, retrieved 7 April 2024^
- Elotuzumab Package Insert