Roche bags USFDA approval for Lunsumio to treat follicular lymphoma

"This approval is a significant milestone for people with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, who have had limited treatment options until now," said Elizabeth Budde, M.D., Ph.D., Haematologic Oncologist and Associate Professor, City of Hope Division of Lymphoma, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, and Lunsumio clinical trial investigator. "As a first-in-class T-cell engaging bispecific antibody that can be initiated in an outpatient setting, Lunsumio's high response rates and fixed-duration could change the way advanced follicular lymphoma is treated."

"Despite treatment advances, follicular lymphoma remains incurable and relapse is common, with outcomes worsening following each consecutive treatment," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "Lunsumio represents our first approved T-cell engaging bispecific antibody and builds on our legacy of more than 20 years of innovation in blood cancer."

The USFDA approval is based on positive results from the phase II GO29781 study of Lunsumio in people with heavily pre-treated FL, including those who were at high risk of disease progression or whose disease was refractory to prior therapies. Results from the study showed high and durable response rates. An objective response was seen in 80% (72/90 [95% confidence interval (CI): 70-88]) of patients treated with Lunsumio, with a majority maintaining responses for at least 18 months (57% [95% CI: 44-70]). The objective response rate is the combination of complete response (CR) rate (a disappearance of all signs and symptoms of cancer) and partial response rate (a decrease in the amount of cancer in the body). The median duration of response among those who responded was almost two years (22.8 months [95% CI: 10-not reached]). A CR was achieved in 60% of patients (54/90 [95% CI: 49-70]). 

Lunsumio is administered as an intravenous infusion for a fixed-duration, which allows for time off therapy, and can be infused in an outpatient setting. Hospitalisation may be needed to manage select AEs, should be considered for subsequent infusions following a Grade 2 CRS event, and is recommended for subsequent infusions following a Grade 3 CRS event.

Lunsumio is designed to address the diverse needs of people with blood cancer, physicians, and practice settings, and is part of the company's bispecific antibody clinical programme in lymphoma. Lunsumio is being further investigated as a subcutaneous formulation (i.e., administered under the skin) and in phase III studies that will expand the understanding of its impact in earlier lines of treatment in people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.