Amatuximab (MORAb-009)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: A humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed against human mesothelin with potential antineoplastic activity. Amatuximab binds to mesothelin, triggering an antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediated host immune response against mesothelin-expressing tumor cells, which may result in tumor cell lysis. Mesothelin, a 40kDa cell surface glycoprotein, is overexpressed in several human tumors, including mesothelioma and ovarian and pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Preliminary data

Malignant pleural mesothelioma

1. Hassan R, Kindler HL, Jahan T, Bazhenova L, Reck M, Thomas A, Pastan I, Parno J, O'Shannessy DJ, Fatato P, Maltzman JD, Wallin BA. Phase II clinical trial of amatuximab, a chimeric antimesothelin antibody with pemetrexed and cisplatin in advanced unresectable pleural mesothelioma. Clin Cancer Res. 2014 Dec 1;20(23):5927-36. Epub 2014 Sep 17. link to PMC article PubMed

Also known as

• Code name: MORAb-009