Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Specialised Therapeutics announced the approval of a new therapy in Australia for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults.
MINJUVI, also known as Monjuvi® (tafasitamab-cxix), has been approved for use in combination with lenalidomide. It is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL (Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).
MINJUVI, an immunotherapy that targets CD19, has received approval not only in Australia but also in several other countries, including the United States (marketed as Monjuvi® with the generic name tafasitamab-cxix), Great Britain, Canada, Europe, and various other countries. This therapy functions by binding to the CD19 protein found on the surface of B-cell lymphoma cells, thereby stimulating an immune response against the lymphoma.
Access to novel immune therapies, such as MINJUVI, is of significant importance for Australian patients, particularly those with relapsed DLBCL (Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma).
Currently, CAR-T cell therapies, although effective, are only suitable for a limited proportion of DLBCL patients. Consequently, there is a crucial need for alternative treatment options. MINJUVI, represents a promising immune therapy for relapsed DLBCL.