ASH Data On CRS Helps Determine Where Anti-CD20 Bispecifics Fit Versus CAR-T

From the CD20-directed bispecific antibody studies presented at ASH, the risk and severity of cytokine release syndrome is being viewed as a way to determine whether the bispecifics will be used before, after or instead of CAR-Ts.

Leukemia — Data on several CD20-directed bispecific antibodies were presented at ASH • Source: Shutterstock

Moving bispecific antibodies targeting CD20 into B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) will require finding ways to mitigate their risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which can require hospitalization that outpatient infusion centers cannot provide. However, anti-CD20 bispecifics appear relatively mild in terms of CRS compared to CAR-T therapeutics – which could set them up as competitors to the cell therapies at least in more slow-growing NHL.

CAR-T therapies approved for aggressive NHL – such as Novartis AG’s Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), Gilead Sciences, Inc.’s Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) and Bristol Myers Squibb Company’s Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel)...

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