March 21, 2009 - Let's Hear It for L19!

Here’s a very encouraging article about an exciting new approach in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. Thanks to Dr. Wendy Harpham for sending me the link.

Swiss researchers have found a way to use a human antibody called L19 to recognize and target newly-formed blood vessels that occur in tumor tissue.

The team of researchers, led by Dr. Dario Neri, used rituximab (the same monoclonal antibody I received along with my CHOP chemotherapy) in conjunction with L19. From the article:

“The success of the Neri team’s new therapeutic approach relies on the ability of the immunocytokine L19-IL2 to attract and activate certain white blood cells, including the so-called natural killer cells, towards the tumor, thus potentiating the therapeutic activity of rituximab.”

Early trials using the new approach with mice were encouraging, then the scientists were able to replicate those results in humans. In the before-and-after PET scan images below, all the black spots, indicating active lymphoma, disappeared following treatment (the remaining dark areas in the right-hand photos are the brain, heart and bladder that always show up dark in PET scans):

Now, the researchers are moving on to develop the treatment for more widespread use. New medications using L19 are in phase I and II clinical trials, according to the article.

Yes, indeed - there are good things coming down the research pipeline!