Dr. Janus on the Role of Moxetumomab Pasudotox in Hairy Cell Leukemia

Author(s):

Agnieszka Janus, MD, PhD, discusses the efficacy and safety of moxetumomab pasudotox as a treatment option for patients with hairy cell leukemia. This agent was approved by the FDA in September 2018 for the treatment of adult patients with hairy cell leukemia who have received at least 2 prior lines of therapy, including a purine nucleoside analog.

Agnieszka Janus, MD, PhD, Copernicus Memorial Hospital in Poland, discusses the efficacy and safety of moxetumomab pasudotox (Lumoxiti) as a treatment option for patients with hairy cell leukemia in an interview during the 2019 Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation Annual Conference. This agent was approved by the FDA in September 2018 for the treatment of adult patients with hairy cell leukemia who have received ≥2 prior lines of therapy, including a purine nucleoside analog.

There is efficacy with moxetumomab pasudotox, a CD22-directed recombinant immunotoxin, which is beneficial, particularly in heavily pretreated patients. Most patients receiving this agent are in their fifth or sixth line of therapy, but they all generate response to the antibody in some way, Janus says. However, these patients will relapse eventually.

Moxetumomab pasudotox is a great opportunity and a new kind of treatment for these patients. The toxicity profile has also been favorable; less than 10% of serious adverse events are observed. Janus says it is good to have early access to this drug and to be able to use it in these patients.