Immunocytokine therapy is a type of immunotherapy that uses cytokines. Cytokines are small proteins our body make that help cells of our immune system communicate. Some cytokines increase the activity of the immune system, while other cytokines slow down or regulate the activity of the immune system.
A specific type of immunocytokine, called antibody-cytokine fusion protein, is developed in a laboratory when an antibody and a cytokine are fused together. When infused into the body, immunocytokines bind to targets on myeloma cells and activate the immune system to fight the myeloma.
TAK-573 (Modakafusp alfa) is a new drug and first-in-class. TAK-573 uses an antibody to deliver a protein, interferon alpha-2b (IFNα2b), to CD38+ receptors which are on the surface of myeloma cells. In clinical trials, TAK-573 has been given intravenously to patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. TAK-573 is being evaluated in previously treated, relapsed myeloma that is not responding to anti-CD38 antibodies, such as Darzalex ® (daratumumab). TAK-573 is being tested as a single agent (given alone) and in combination therapy (given with other drugs).1
- Kaufman, J. L., S. Atrash, Holstein, O. Nadeem, D. Benson, K. Suryanarayan, Y. Liu, et al. “S181: MODAKAFUSP ALFA (TAK-573): UPDATED CLINICAL, PHARMACOKINETIC (PK), AND IMMUNOGENICITY RESULTS FROM A PHASE 1/2 STUDY IN PATIENTS (PTS) WITH RELAPSED/REFRACTORY MULTIPLE MYELOMA (RRMM).” HemaSphere 6 (June 2022): 82–83. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HS9.0000843616.11738.cb.
