Dr. Blackwell on Margetuximab for HER2+ Breast Cancer

Kimberly L. Blackwell, MD, professor of Medicine, assistant professor of Radiation Oncology, Duke Cancer Institute, discusses the mechanism of action for margetuximab (MGAH22-01) and discusses its potential as a treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

The constant domain of margetuximab, a HER2-targeting monoclonal antibody engineered for increased Fc-domain binding, has been changed by five amino acids, Blackwell explains. The agent stimulates natural killer cells and tumor-associated macrophages more and inhibits the inhibitory immune cells less. This should offer more of a vigorous immune response against HER2.

Phase I/II data examining the efficacy of margetuximab was presented at the 2015 ASCO Annual Meeting. A phase III study is ongoing, she adds.