Felzartamab represents a novel therapeutic approach in modern medicine, showing promise for treating certain conditions where the immune system plays a role. It is an investigational drug, undergoing clinical studies to determine its full scope of uses and safety. This treatment is being explored for its ability to modify disease progression in conditions driven by an overactive immune response.
Understanding Felzartamab
Felzartamab is a monoclonal antibody (mAb). These antibodies are laboratory-produced proteins that mimic the body’s natural antibodies, designed to target specific substances. Felzartamab specifically targets a protein called CD38, which is found on the surface of various cells, including certain immune cells and some cancer cells.
CD38 acts as a receptor and an enzyme on the cell surface, playing a part in cell signaling and function. In immune-mediated diseases, CD38 is highly expressed on plasmablasts and plasma cells, which produce antibodies. Felzartamab works by binding to this CD38 protein, which can then lead to the depletion of these CD38-expressing cells.
How Felzartamab Targets Disease
Felzartamab exerts its therapeutic effects by specifically targeting CD38-positive plasma cells, which are the primary producers of antibodies, including those that mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues. By depleting these cells, felzartamab aims to reduce the levels of harmful autoantibodies that contribute to immune-mediated diseases.
This approach is being investigated for various immune-mediated kidney diseases, including primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and lupus nephritis. Felzartamab has shown efficacy in preliminary phase I/IIA trials for anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody-positive PMN, where improvements in proteinuria and serum albumin levels were observed. For IgA nephropathy, CD38-positive plasma cells are believed to be a significant source of the pathogenic antibodies involved, and felzartamab’s ability to deplete these cells is being studied. Furthermore, felzartamab is also in development for the treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) following kidney transplantation, where it targets CD38 to inhibit graft injury caused by alloantibodies and natural killer cells.
Receiving Felzartamab Treatment
Felzartamab is administered through intravenous infusion. This ensures the drug enters the bloodstream and reaches its targets efficiently. The treatment typically takes place in a supervised medical setting, such as a hospital or an infusion center, where healthcare professionals can monitor the patient.
The frequency and duration of felzartamab treatment can vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the patient’s response. For instance, in a phase 2 trial for antibody-mediated rejection, patients received nine infusions over a 6-month period, followed by an observation period. In other studies, different dosing regimens have been explored, such as two doses in 15 days or up to nine doses in 5 months.
Important Considerations and Side Effects
Patients receiving felzartamab should be aware of potential side effects, with infusion-related reactions being among the most common, particularly during the first infusion. These reactions are generally mild to moderate in intensity and can include symptoms such as fever, chills, or headache. Healthcare providers closely monitor patients during and after infusions to manage any immediate reactions.
More serious side effects are less frequent but can occur. While most treatment-emergent adverse events have been mild to moderate, ongoing monitoring is important to detect and address any unexpected or severe reactions. Patients should openly discuss any concerns or symptoms they experience with their healthcare provider, who can provide personalized guidance and management strategies throughout the treatment course.