Phase II Study With the Trifunctional Antibody Ertumaxomab to Treat Metastatic Breast Cancer After Progression on Trastuzumab Therapy

Summary

This study has the purpose to demonstrate clinical efficacy of the investigational new drug ertumaxomab in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2/neu) overexpressing (3+ or 2+ with a positive Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) test result) metastatic breast cancer progressing after trastuzumab treatment. Ertumaxomab is a trifunctional bispecific antibody targeting Her-2/neu on tumor cells and CD3 on T cells. Trifunctional antibodies represent a new concept for targeted anticancer therapy. This new antibody class has the capability to redirect T cells and accessory immune effector cells (e.g. macrophages, dendritic cells \[DCs\] and natural killer \[NK\] cells) to the tumor site. According to preclinical data, trifunctional antibodies activate these immune cells, which can trigger a complex anti-tumor immune response.

Timeline

Start

2008-01

Primary completion

2009-12

Completion

2009-12

Outcome

Outcome not reported

Stopped: “change in development plan, not due to safety concerns.”

Publications

• Background Kiewe P, Hasmuller S, Kahlert S, Heinrigs M, Rack B, Marme A, Korfel A, Jager M, Lindhofer H, Sommer H, Thiel E, Untch M. Phase I trial of the trifunctional anti-HER2 x anti-CD3 antibody ertumaxomab in metastatic breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2006 May 15;12(10):3085-91. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-05-2436.
• Background Ruf P, Lindhofer H. Induction of a long-lasting antitumor immunity by a trifunctional bispecific antibody. Blood. 2001 Oct 15;98(8):2526-34. doi: 10.1182/blood.v98.8.2526.
• Background Riesenberg R, Buchner A, Pohla H, Lindhofer H. Lysis of prostate carcinoma cells by trifunctional bispecific antibodies (alpha EpCAM x alpha CD3). J Histochem Cytochem. 2001 Jul;49(7):911-7. doi: 10.1177/002215540104900711.
• Background Zeidler R, Mysliwietz J, Csanady M, Walz A, Ziegler I, Schmitt B, Wollenberg B, Lindhofer H. The Fc-region of a new class of intact bispecific antibody mediates activation of accessory cells and NK cells and induces direct phagocytosis of tumour cells. Br J Cancer. 2000 Jul;83(2):261-6. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2000.1237.
• Background Zeidler R, Reisbach G, Wollenberg B, Lang S, Chaubal S, Schmitt B, Lindhofer H. Simultaneous activation of T cells and accessory cells by a new class of intact bispecific antibody results in efficient tumor cell killing. J Immunol. 1999 Aug 1;163(3):1246-52.

Drugs

Indications