Blinatumomab: a novel therapy for the treatment of non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma

Introduction: Blinatumomab, a first-in-class bispecific T cell engager, is a member of a novel class of bispecific antibody constructs with dual binding specificities. While its primary clinical use has been in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, its role in the treatment of B cell non-Hodgkin?s Lymphoma (NHL) is less well established. Areas covered: Herein, the authors provide a brief overview of the market, unmet needs, and how blinatumomab fits in to the evolving armamentarium of lymphoma-directed therapies. The authors address its therapeutic role in salvage therapy for relapsed/refractory NHL, as consolidation for high-risk diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) following ASCT, and through various combinations with other available agents. Moreover, authors highlight key competitors. Expert opinion: Although blinatumomab showed impressive results in phase I and II studies for relapsed/refractory DLBCL, its future utility remains to be seen in this clinical setting due to lack of phase III trial and FDA approval of CD19 CART therapy. A new CD19/CD3 and several CD20/CD3 bispecific antibodies with longer half-life and resultant easier mode of administration which can overcome the major barriers of its use in clinical practice are in the pipeline and their role in NHL treatment are actively explored.