Lucatumumab (CHIR 12.12 or HCD122) is a

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, cultu ...

monoclonal antibody A monoclonal antibody (mAb, more rarely called moAb) is an antibody produced from a cell Lineage made by cloning a unique white blood cell. All subsequent antibodies derived this way trace back to a unique parent cell. Monoclonal antibodies ...

against

CD40 Cluster of differentiation 40, CD40 is a costimulatory protein found on antigen-presenting cells and is required for their activation. The binding of CD154 ( CD40L) on TH cells to CD40 activates antigen presenting cells and induces a variety of d ...

development of which was discontinued by

Novartis Novartis AG is a Swiss-American multinational pharmaceutical corporation based in Basel, Switzerland and Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (global research).name="novartis.com">https://www.novartis.com/research-development/research-lo ...

in 2013 after it was investigated for the treatment of various types of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

multiple myeloma Multiple myeloma (MM), also known as plasma cell myeloma and simply myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies. Often, no symptoms are noticed initially. As it progresses, bone pain, ...

and

follicular lymphoma Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a cancer that involves certain types of white blood cells known as lymphocytes. The cancer originates from the uncontrolled division of specific types of B-cells known as centrocytes and centroblasts. These cells norma ...

. It is an antagonist to CD40 that was created by scientists at

Chiron In Greek mythology, Chiron ( ; also Cheiron or Kheiron; ) was held to be the superlative centaur amongst his brethren since he was called the "wisest and justest of all the centaurs". Biography Chiron was notable throughout Greek mythology ...

using Abgenix' XenoMouse

transgenic mouse A genetically modified mouse or genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) is a mouse (''Mus musculus'') that has had its genome altered through the use of genetic engineering techniques. Genetically modified mice are commonly used for research or a ...

to generate fully human antibodies. It was made part of the collaboration between Chiron and Xoma that the companies commenced in 2004. Novartis took over the project when it acquired Chiron in 2005. In ''in vitro'' studies, it inhibited cell proliferation induced by CD40 ligands and induced cell

lysis Lysis ( ) is the breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic (that is, "lytic" ) mechanisms that compromise its integrity. A fluid containing the contents of lysed cells is called a ''lysate''. In molecular b ...

. Over three Phase 1 trials in multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the companies made an effort to determine the optimal dose, and obtained unclear results. The Phase I part of a planned Phase I/II trial in multiple myeloma was started in 2005, and in 2012 was updated to Phase II and closed; as of 2014 the results had not been published.

References

Monoclonal antibodies for tumors Drugs developed by Novartis Abandoned drugs {{antineoplastic-drug-stub