Oleclumab

Oleclumab is an innovative immunotherapy drug being studied in clinical trials for various types of cancer. This article examines ongoing research investigating oleclumab alone and in combination with other treatments, focusing on its potential benefits, safety profile, and effectiveness in improving outcomes for cancer patients.

Table of Contents

What is Oleclumab?

Oleclumab is a new type of cancer drug that is currently being studied in clinical trials. It is also known by its alternative names MEDI9447 and SSP-005173[1][2]. Oleclumab is a monoclonal antibody, which is a type of protein made in a laboratory that can bind to specific targets in the body. In this case, Oleclumab is designed to bind to and inhibit a protein called CD73[1].

How Does Oleclumab Work?

Oleclumab works by targeting a protein called CD73, which is found on the surface of some cancer cells and immune cells. CD73 is involved in producing a molecule called adenosine, which can suppress the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. By blocking CD73, Oleclumab aims to reduce the amount of adenosine in the tumor environment, potentially allowing the immune system to become more active against cancer cells[3].

This mechanism of action makes Oleclumab part of a class of drugs known as immunotherapies. Immunotherapies work by helping the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively[3].

What Conditions Does Oleclumab Treat?

Oleclumab is being studied for the treatment of various types of cancer, including:

  • Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC): A type of pancreatic cancer[1]
  • Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A common type of lung cancer[4]
  • Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: An aggressive form of bladder cancer[3]
  • Advanced Solid Tumors: Various types of solid cancers that have spread or are difficult to treat[2]
  • Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC): An advanced form of prostate cancer[5]
  • Metastatic Microsatellite-stable Colorectal Cancer: A specific type of colorectal cancer[6]
  • Luminal B Breast Cancer: A subtype of breast cancer[7]

Oleclumab in Clinical Trials

Oleclumab is being tested in various clinical trials, often in combination with other cancer treatments. Some key points about these trials include:

  • Combination with Durvalumab: Many trials are testing Oleclumab together with another immunotherapy drug called Durvalumab. This combination aims to enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer[4][3].
  • Use with Standard Treatments: Some trials are exploring the use of Oleclumab alongside standard cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy[6][7].
  • Different Dosing Schedules: Researchers are testing various doses and schedules of Oleclumab administration to find the most effective and safe approach[2].
  • Measuring Immune Response: Many trials are looking at how Oleclumab affects the immune system, particularly the number and activity of immune cells in the tumor and blood[1].

Potential Side Effects

As Oleclumab is still in clinical trials, its full side effect profile is not yet known. However, researchers are closely monitoring for potential side effects, including:

  • Immune-related adverse events: Since Oleclumab affects the immune system, there’s a potential for overactive immune responses[7].
  • Infusion-related reactions: As Oleclumab is given through an intravenous (IV) infusion, there may be reactions related to the infusion process[2].
  • General side effects: Researchers are monitoring for a wide range of potential side effects, including changes in blood tests, vital signs, and overall health[6].

It’s important to note that in clinical trials, patients are closely monitored for any side effects, and safety is a top priority.

Future Outlook

Oleclumab is still in the early stages of research, but it shows promise as a potential new treatment for various types of cancer. The ongoing clinical trials will help determine:

  • How effective Oleclumab is in treating different types of cancer
  • Which patients are most likely to benefit from Oleclumab treatment
  • The best ways to combine Oleclumab with other cancer treatments
  • The long-term safety and side effects of Oleclumab

If the results from these trials are positive, Oleclumab could become an important new option for cancer treatment in the future. However, it’s important to remember that drug development is a long process, and it may be several years before Oleclumab becomes widely available, if it proves to be safe and effective[8].

Aspect Details
Drug Name Oleclumab (MEDI9447)
Drug Type Monoclonal antibody targeting CD73
Cancer Types Studied Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, advanced solid tumors
Common Combinations Durvalumab, chemotherapy (e.g., FOLFOX), targeted therapies
Administration Intravenous infusion, typically every 2-4 weeks
Key Outcomes Measured Objective response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, safety and tolerability
Notable Trial Designs Phase 1/2 dose-escalation and expansion studies, randomized Phase 2 and 3 trials
Biomarkers of Interest PD-L1 expression, CD8+ T cell infiltration, immune cell populations

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Oleclumab

  • Study of Volrustomig and Drug Combination for Patients with Early-stage Resectable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

    Recruiting

    1 1 1
    Belgium France Hungary Ireland Italy Portugal +1
  • Study on the Safety and Effectiveness of Durvalumab, Paclitaxel, and Drug Combinations for Patients with Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Poland
  • Study on Ceralasertib, Oleclumab, and Monalizumab for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Resistant to PD-1 Inhibitors

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    France
  • Study on Durvalumab with Oleclumab or Monalizumab for Patients with Stage III Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Chemoradiation Therapy

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    France Germany Italy Poland Portugal Spain
  • Study of Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and Durvalumab with or without Oleclumab for Patients with Untreated Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Belgium France
  • Study on the Effects of Durvalumab, Oleclumab, and Chemotherapy in Patients with Luminal B Breast Cancer

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Belgium France

Glossary

  • Monoclonal antibody: A type of protein made in the laboratory that can bind to substances in the body, including cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are used to treat some types of cancer.
  • CD73: An enzyme found on the surface of some cells that plays a role in suppressing the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
  • Immunotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that helps the body's immune system fight cancer cells.
  • RECIST 1.1: Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, a standardized method for measuring tumor response in cancer clinical trials.
  • Progression-free survival (PFS): The length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives with cancer without it worsening.
  • Overall survival (OS): The length of time from the start of treatment or diagnosis that patients are still alive.
  • Objective response rate (ORR): The proportion of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.
  • Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT): Side effects of a drug that are severe enough to prevent an increase in dosage or require a decrease in dosage.
  • Pharmacokinetics: The study of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body.
  • Anti-drug antibodies (ADA): Antibodies produced by the immune system in response to a therapeutic drug, which can potentially reduce the drug's effectiveness.

References

  1. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06060405
  2. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02503774
  3. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03773666
  4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06606847
  5. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04089553
  6. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04068610
  7. https://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-on-the-effects-of-durvalumab-oleclumab-and-chemotherapy-in-patients-with-luminal-b-breast-cancer/
  8. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03822351