Elotuzumab: First Global Approval

Elotuzumab (Empliciti (TM)) is a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and AbbVie that has been approved as combination therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in the US. Elotuzumab binds to the cell surface receptor signalling lymphocytic activation molecule F7 (SLAMF7), which is selectively expressed on myeloma cells and natural killer cells, leading to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and direct natural killer cell activation. In a phase III clinical trial, addition of elotuzumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma was associated with a significant improvement in progression-free survival and overall response rate. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of elotuzumab leading to this first approval for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.