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ASH 2024 | The use of bispecifics for NHL in the UK: what do physicians need to know about using these agents?
Wendy Osborne, MBBS (Hons), MRCP, FRCPath, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK, comments on the use of bispecific antibodies for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treatment in the United Kingdom’s NHS framework, highlighting that both glofitamab and epcoritamab are available in the UK for third-line treatment, with differences in treatment duration and administration route. Dr Osborne emphasizes the importance of recognizing and treating cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity associated with T-cell engagers and underscores the need for equitable access to these treatments across the UK. This interview took place at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, held in San Diego, CA.
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Transcript (AI-generated)
I think that we’re very fortunate in the UK that we have commissioned both glofitamab and epcoritamab bispecific antibodies in a third line plus space for our patients so they have to have been failed by two prior lines of therapy and otherwise we can select either of these bispecific antibodies and as we know at the moment the efficacy looks very similar with the two antibodies and so most centres are using both options...
I think that we’re very fortunate in the UK that we have commissioned both glofitamab and epcoritamab bispecific antibodies in a third line plus space for our patients so they have to have been failed by two prior lines of therapy and otherwise we can select either of these bispecific antibodies and as we know at the moment the efficacy looks very similar with the two antibodies and so most centres are using both options. There are differences. Glofitamab is a fixed duration treatment whereas epcoritamab is treatment to progression. Epcoritamab is given subcutaneously and glofitamab is intravenous. So generally we would discuss both of these options with patients and make a shared decision about which one we would proceed with.
In terms of what clinicians and healthcare professionals need to know, it’s needing to know how to recognise and treat cytokine release syndrome because we do see this with all T-cell engagers and although it’s very treatable with tocilizumab it’s to be aware that all temperatures aren’t just infection it could be CRS, and also have an awareness of neurotoxicity again that we can see with T-cell engagers. So I think that it’s fantastic that we’ve got these options for our patients but we need to make sure that they’re available in as many hospitals as possible close to our patients’ home so that there is equity of access throughout the UK.
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Disclosures
Honoraria: Roche, Takeda, Pfizer, Kite Gilead, Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Kyowa Kirin, Incyte, Janssen, BMS; Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees: Roche, Takeda, Kite Gilead, Kyowa Kirin, Servier, Incyte, Janssen, BMS, MSD, Beigene, Autolus, Sobi, Syneos.
