The development of antibody-IL-2 based immunotherapy with hu14.18-IL2 (EMD-273063) in melanoma and neuroblastoma

Patients with high risk melanoma and neuroblastoma frequently experience recurrence despite surgical resection and appropriate adjuvant therapies. Immunotherapy with the immunocytokine hu14.18-IL-2 (EMD-273063) was developed by means of fusion of two molecules of IL-2 to the monoclonal antibody, 14.18, that recognizes GD2, expressed on the earlier mentioned malignancies. This article will discuss the results of preclinical work using EMD-273063 therapy, including data suggesting that intratumoral therapy may have enhanced antitumor benefit compared with intravenous therapy. Initial clinical trials in adult melanoma and pediatric neuroblastoma have demonstrated acceptable toxicity profiles in dosing that induces immune activation. Preclinical and initial clinical data suggest greater efficacy in the setting of minimal residual disease; therefore, future clinical testing is planned to test the benefit of EMD-273063 in this setting.