Drugs / denileukin diftitox
last change Sep 2026 re-read 9 days ago

denileukin diftitox

Protein / enzyme biologic

Developed for
lymphoma · peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified · melanoma · leukemia · malignant epithelial tumor of ovary · B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia · cutaneous melanoma · fallopian tube carcinoma
+25 more · kidney cancer · malignant pancreatic neoplasm · mycosis fungoides · peritoneum cancer · primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma · Sezary syndrome · adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma · anaplastic large cell lymphoma · B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma · breast cancer · colorectal cancer · fallopian tube cancer · graft versus host disease · high grade B-cell lymphoma · indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma · lung cancer · male breast carcinoma · ovarian clear cell cystadenocarcinoma · ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma · ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma · ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma · peritoneal carcinoma · plasma cell myeloma · systemic mastocytosis · undifferentiated ovarian carcinoma
Investigated by
Eisai Inc. · National Cancer Institute (NCI) · University of Washington · Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited · The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · Alexander B Olawaiye, MD
+30 more · Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology · Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute · Baylor College of Medicine · Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network · Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine · Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Columbia University · Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group · Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · H. Kim Lyerly · James Graham Brown Cancer Center · Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center · Ligand Pharmaceuticals · Loyola University · M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota · National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) · Northwestern University · PharmaBio Development Inc. · Pharmatech Oncology · Riveria Country Club Organization · The Methodist Hospital Research Institute · University Hospital Erlangen · University of California, San Francisco · University of Chicago · University of Louisville · University of Miami · Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Washington University School of Medicine · Yale University

Regulatory milestones approvals, filings & regulatory actions · 6 recorded

MilestoneJurisdictionBrandIndicationDateSentence it was read from
Filed primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma 4 milestones
Filed US (FDA) LYMPHIR primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma 2024-02-14

“today announced the resubmission of the Company's Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for LYMPHIR™ (denileukin diftitox)” citiuspharma.com ↗

“Resubmitted LYMPHIR™ (denileukin diftitox) biologics license application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)” citiuspharma.com ↗

Rejected (CRL) US (FDA) LYMPHIR primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma 2023-07-29

“today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Complete Response Letter regarding the Company's Biologics License Application (BLA) seeking...” citiuspharma.com ↗

Filed US (FDA) I/ONTAK primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma 2022-09-28

“today announced that the Company has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for denileukin diftitox (I/ONTAK)” citiuspharma.com ↗

“Completed Pivotal Phase 3 trial of I/ONTAK (E7777) and submitted biologics license application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)” citiuspharma.com ↗

Filed Japan (PMDA) — primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma 2020-03-26

“submitted in Japan a marketing authorization application of the anticancer agent denileukin diftitox (genetic recombinant)” eisai.com ↗

Approved Indication not stated 2 milestones
Label expansion US (FDA) ONTAK — 2008-10-15 fda.gov ↗
Approved US (FDA) ONTAK — 1999-02-05 fda.gov ↗

Trials 40

PhaseRegistry idDatesIndicationSponsorStatusOutcome
Phase 01 trial
Phase 0 NCT00278369 Apr 2005 → Jun 2009 kidney cancer Northwestern University Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 16 trials
Phase 1 NCT01401530 Jul 2011 → Aug 2015 peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified Eisai Inc. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT01251952 Nov 2010 → Jul 2011 plasma cell myeloma Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00224354 Sep 2005 → Dec 2009 B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia Baylor College of Medicine Withdrawn No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00128622 Sep 2005 → Mar 2007 breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, malignant pancreatic neoplasm H. Kim Lyerly Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00357448 Apr 2005 → Nov 2009 fallopian tube cancer, ovarian clear cell cystadenocarcinoma, ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma, ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma +3 University of Washington Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1 NCT00228358 Jun 2003 → May 2011 HER2 positive breast carcinoma, female breast carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma +1 University of Washington Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1/25 trials
Phase 1/2 NCT05200559 Sep 2022 → May 2030 expected malignant epithelial tumor of ovary Alexander B Olawaiye, MD Active not recruiting No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT04855253 Jun 2021 → Sep 2026 high grade B-cell lymphoma Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Suspended No outcome recorded Stop: Enrollment
Phase 1/2 NCT00945269 Jul 2009 → Jan 2011 melanoma Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT00425672 Sep 2005 → Apr 2010 male breast carcinoma University of Washington Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 1/2 NCT00056134 Oct 2002 → Oct 2011 cutaneous melanoma University Hospital Erlangen Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 224 trials
Phase 2 NCT02676778 Mar 2016 → Apr 2019 peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Eisai Inc. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT01127451 Jun 2010 → Apr 2015 melanoma Eisai Inc. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT01773889 Jun 2009 → Jun 2011 fallopian tube carcinoma, malignant epithelial tumor of ovary, peritoneum cancer The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Terminated No outcome recorded Stop: Business
Phase 2 NCT00801918 Dec 2008 → Dec 2011 anaplastic large cell lymphoma Columbia University Withdrawn No outcome recorded Stop: Business
Phase 2 NCT00726037 Oct 2008 → Jan 2012 malignant pancreatic neoplasm Loyola University Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00632827 Jul 2008 → Jun 2014 peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified University of California, San Francisco Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00460109 Apr 2008 → Oct 2010 lymphoma Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00515528 Apr 2007 → Mar 2016 melanoma University of Chicago Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00880360 Feb 2007 → Apr 2010 fallopian tube carcinoma, malignant epithelial tumor of ovary, peritoneal carcinoma The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT00299689 Mar 2006 → Jan 2010 melanoma James Graham Brown Cancer Center Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 31 trial
Phase 3 NCT01871727 May 2013 → Dec 2021 primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Eisai Inc. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 42 trials
Phase 4 NCT00051012 Sep 1995 → Oct 2006 Sezary syndrome, mycosis fungoides Eisai Inc. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase 4 NCT00050999 Jun 1995 → Sep 2006 Sezary syndrome, mycosis fungoides Eisai Inc. Completed No outcome recorded
Phase not applicable1 trial
— NCT00513188 Feb 2007 → Jun 2008 lymphoma University of Miami Withdrawn No outcome recorded
Comparator or background therapy4 trials
Phase 2 NCT02694770 Comparator Jul 2016 → Sep 2017 acute graft versus host disease AbGenomics B.V Taiwan Branch Withdrawn No outcome recorded
Phase 2 NCT01106950 Background Jul 2010 → Oct 2011 acute myeloid leukemia Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Terminated No outcome recorded
Phase 3 NCT01355783 Comparator Mar 2011 → Oct 2014 peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified Eisai Inc. Withdrawn No outcome recorded
— NCT01432483 Background — cancer Eisai Inc. No longer available No outcome recorded

News releases announcing trial results or a regulatory action · 15

DateIssuerRelease
2025-05-16 Eisai Inc. Regulatory Eisai Satisfies All-Case Surveillance Requirement for Anticancer Agent Remitoro® eisai.com ↗
2025-02-06 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals and Citius Oncology Announce Unique Permanent J-Code Issued for LYMPHIR by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services citiuspharma.com ↗
Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius Pharma" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR) and its oncology-focused subsidiary, Citius Oncology, Inc. ("Citius Oncology") (Nasdaq: CTOR), today announced that LYMPHIR™ (denileukin diftitox-cxdl) has been assigned a unique, permanent Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) J-code (J9161) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
2024-11-11 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Results Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Citius Oncology, Inc. Announce Promising Preliminary Results of an Investigator-Initiated Phase I Clinical Trial of Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) and LYMPHIR™ in Cancer Patients with Recurrent Solid Tumors citiuspharma.com ↗
2024-08-08 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Approval for LYMPHIR™ (denileukin diftitox-cxdl) Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Adults with Relapsed or Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma citiuspharma.com ↗
Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTXR) ("Citius", "Citius Pharma"), announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved LYMPHIR™ (denileukin diftitox-cxdl), a novel immunotherapy for the treatment of r/r cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one prior systemic therapy.
2024-03-18 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Acceptance of the BLA Resubmission of LYMPHIR™ (Denileukin Diftitox) for the Treatment of Adults with Relapsed or Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma citiuspharma.com ↗
2024-02-14 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals Resubmits the Biologics License Application of LYMPHIR™ (Denileukin Diftitox) for the Treatment of Adults with Relapsed or Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma citiuspharma.com ↗
2023-10-31 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Results Citius Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication in Frontiers of Immunology of Positive Results from Solid Tumor Study of LYMPHIR™ in Combination with Checkpoint Inhibitor citiuspharma.com ↗
The article reported positive results from a preclinical study that showed that denileukin diftitox in combination with an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor was more effective in the treatment of solid tumors (liver and colon) than either therapy alone.
2023-09-08 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Receives Regulatory Guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the Planned Resubmission of the BLA for LYMPHIR™ citiuspharma.com ↗
The FDA has agreed with the Company's plans to address the requirements outlined in the complete response letter (CRL) received July 28, 2023.
2023-07-29 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Receives a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for LYMPHIR™ (Denileukin Diftitox) for the Treatment of Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma citiuspharma.com ↗
2022-12-01 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration Acceptance of Biologics License Application of Denileukin Diftitox for the Treatment of Patients with Persistent or Recurrent Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma citiuspharma.com ↗
2022-09-28 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Regulatory Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Submits Biologics License Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Denileukin Diftitox for the Treatment of Patients with Persistent or Recurrent Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma citiuspharma.com ↗
Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing first-in-class critical care products, today announced that the Company has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for denileukin diftitox (I/ONTAK), an engineered IL-2-diphtheria toxin fusion protein for the treatment of patients with persistent or recurrent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
2022-04-06 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Results Citius Pharmaceuticals Reports Topline Data from the Pivotal Phase 3 Study of Cancer Immunotherapy I/ONTAK (E7777) for the Treatment of Persistent or Recurrent Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) in Support of BLA Submission citiuspharma.com ↗
today reported topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 trial of I/ONTAK (E7777), an engineered IL-2-diphtheria toxin fusion protein, for the treatment of patients with persistent or recurrent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

All press releases naming this drug 24 releases

DateIssuerRelease

Evidence & citations 11 cited values

Every value below carries the sentence it was read from. 49 sources stand behind the page.

FieldValueCited text
Known as denileukin diftitox “E7777 or denileukin diftitox is a recombinant cytotoxic fusion protein composed of the amino acid sequences for diphtheria toxin fragments A and B (Met1-Thr387)-His and for...” NCT05200559 ↗
37

“Efficacy and Safety of Denileukin Diftitox-Cxdl, an Improved Purity Formulation of Denileukin Diftitox, in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.” PMID 39700456 ↗ Dec 2024

“This study evaluated whether adding E7777 (a new formulation of denileukin diftitox [DD]) improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody therapy.” PMID 38022532 ↗ Oct 2023

“Denileukin diftitox is a recombinant fusion protein of human IL-2 and diptheria toxin fragment that also can kill CD25(+) T cells.” PMID 27330808 ↗ Jun 2016

“A Multicenter, Phase II Study of ONTAK (Denileukin Diftitox) in Patients With Previously-Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia” NCT00055146 ↗

“methotrexate, basiliximab, daclizumab, inolimomab, denileukin diftitox, alemtuzumab, ATG+ etanercept” NCT02694770 ↗

“Study of ONTAK (Denileukin Diftitox) in Previously Treated Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Patients” NCT00051012 ↗

“an interleukin-2 immunotoxin directed to the CD25 antigen (denileukin diftitox, ONTAK” NCT00224354 ↗

“Study of ONTAK (Denileukin Diftitox) in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) Patients” NCT00050999 ↗

“Denileukin diftitox (ONTAK) induces a tolerogenic phenotype in dendritic cells” PMID 23958949 ↗ Aug 2013

“ONTAK ( denileukin diftitox) is given at 18 mcg/kg/d (Days 1,2)” NCT00337987 ↗

Show 27 more sources

Known as DAB/IL2 “a recombinant interleukin 2/diphtheria toxin conjugate (DAB/IL2; Denileukin Diftitox; Ontak)” PMID 18334033 ↗ Mar 2008
Known as DD-cxdl “PURPOSE: Denileukin diftitox (DD)-cxdl is a fusion protein comprising diphtheria toxin fragments A and B and human interleukin-2.” PMID 39700456 ↗ Dec 2024
Known as denileukin “Patients were randomized to receive methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg per day plus etanercept, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), denileukin diftitox (denileukin), or pentostatin.” PMID 19443659 ↗ May 2009
Known as Denileukin Diftitox-Cxdl “Efficacy and Safety of Denileukin Diftitox-Cxdl, an Improved Purity Formulation of Denileukin Diftitox, in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.” PMID 39700456 ↗ Dec 2024
Known as E7777 ClinicalTrials.gov intervention name — accepted as the source's own label NCT01355783 ↗
4

NCT01871727 ↗

NCT05200559 ↗

NCT04855253 ↗

NCT02676778 ↗

Known as ONTAK “A Multicenter Phase II Evaluation Of ONTAK (DENILEUKINDIFTITOX) In Patients With Low Or Intermediate Grade-B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Who Have Been Treated Previously With A...” NCT00026429 ↗
13

“The goal of this clinical research study is to find out if the study drug, ONTAK (denileukin diftitox), can shrink or slow the growth of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)” NCT00211276 ↗

“Denileukin diftitox (ONTAK) is a diphtheria/IL-2R fusion protein able to deplete regulatory T cells in peripheral blood.” PMID 39362046 ↗ Oct 2024

“Denileukin diftitox (ONTAK) induces a tolerogenic phenotype in dendritic cells” PMID 23958949 ↗ Aug 2013

NCT00880360 ↗

NCT00051025 ↗

NCT00055146 ↗

NCT00337987 ↗

NCT00224354 ↗

NCT00051012 ↗

NCT00493129 ↗

Show 3 more sources

Known as ONTAK (denileukin diftitox) “ONTAK (denileukin diftitox)” NCT00278369 ↗
Action Deplete “Immunotoxins such as denileukin diftitox can locate cancer cells and kill them without harming normal cells.” NCT00003615 ↗
Modality Protein / enzyme biologic “A Phase II Study of DAB 389 IL-2, an Interleukin-2 Fusion Toxin, for Previously Treated Stage II, III, and IV Follicular Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma” NCT00003615 ↗
Route Intravenous “Patients receive immunotoxin therapy with denileukin diftitox IV over 15-60 minutes on days 1-5.” NCT00003615 ↗