Anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody

Normal, bi-directional interactions between CD40 and its natural ligand CD154 (CD40 ligand) are central to the generation of both T cell-dependent, humoral immune responses and cytotoxic T-cell responses. CD40 is expressed on a broad range of hematological and epithelial malignancies. The development of monoclonal antibodies directed against CD40 allows effective targeting of malignant cells through multiple mechanisms that include the recruitment of immune effector mechanisms such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, direct anti-proliferative effects on neoplastic cells and, importantly, by the activation of tumor-targeted cellular cytotoxicity. This review provides the background to the early clinical trial data that are now beginning to emerge for this potentially exciting new treatment approach.