In vitro whole-blood assays: cytokine release (IL-6, IL-8, TNF) predicting first-infusion reactions; monkey ADA with hypersensitivity; opportunistic infections
“In vitro analysis of obinutuzumab using whole blood from healthy human donors indicated that obinutuzumab can cause first-infusion cytokine release in patients.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 13Source ↗
Biodistribution & persistence
Unexpected TCR in human and monkey liver epithelium, salivary gland and lung endothelium; crosses placenta; very low milk levels
“Unexpected tissue cross-reactivity staining using obinutuzumab was observed localized in the membrane of human and monkey liver epithelium, salivary glands and lung endothelium (refer to Section 11).”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 13Source ↗
“Suspected opportunistic infections in an additional three unscheduled deaths from the shorter repeat-dose studies were considered a secondary result of obinutuzumab-mediated immunosuppression.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 13Source ↗
Anti-drug antibodies: animals
ADA prevalent in monkeys and associated with rapid clearance of obinutuzumab
“ADA formation was prevalent and was associated with rapid clearance of obinutuzumab.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 113Source ↗
Anti-drug antibodies: patients
Seven percent (18/271) of CLL patients in CLL11 tested ADA-positive
“Seven percent (18/271) of patients with CLL tested positive for anti-GAZYVA antibodies at one or more time points in CLL11.”
In vitro whole-blood cytokine release far below alemtuzumab/TGN1412 controls; no effects on monkey TDAR, lymphocyte subsets or serum cytokines; ADA in some monkeys