Naptumomab estafenatox: a new immunoconjugate

Abstract

Importance of the field: New agents that specifically engage the immune system are being tested in a variety of malignancies. This review provides an overview of naptumomab, an immunotoxin, with encouraging clinical activity in Phase I trials.

Areas covered in this review: This review examines the preclinical and the published clinical data with regards to naptumomab.

What the reader will gain: This review provides the reader with an understanding of the mechanism of action, immunology, pharmacokinetics and clinical activity of this agent.

Take home message: Naptumomab has a unique mechanism of action and appears to be an active agent in the treatment of refractory solid tumors such as renal cell carcinoma.

Keywords::

• cytokines
• immunotoxin
• mAbs
• naptumomab
• NSCLC
• pancreatic cancer
• renal cell carcinoma
• SEA
• superantigen
• T cell