Micromet BiTE antibody eliminates leukemia cells

Micromet’s BiTE antibody blinatumomab (MT-103) elicits a high response rate in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with minimal residual disease, according to the Berlin-based company. The German Multicenter Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Study Group (GMALL) presented phase II clinical data involving the drug at the 2009 Congress of the European Hematology Association in Berlin.

The patients were in complete hematological remission following intense chemotherapy, but retained a detectable level of ALL cancer cells in their bone marrow, ie, minimal residual disease. Eighty-one percent of patients showed elimination of ALL cancer cells, with minimal residual disease below detection limit. In addition, patients in all subgroups responded to treatment with blinatumomab.

“We are now looking forward to discussing a pivotal ALL program with the regulatory authorities later this year,” said Micromet’s Carsten Reinhardt, MD.