Potent and specific antitumor efficacy of CMC-544, a CD22-targeted immunoconjugate of calicheamicin, against systemically disseminated B-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE CMC-544 is a CD22-targeted immunoconjugate of calicheamicin and exerts a potent cytotoxic effect against CD22+ B-cell lymphoma. This study evaluated antitumor efficacy of CMC-544 against systemically disseminated B-cell lymphoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Scid mice received i.v. injections of CD22+ Ramos B-cell lymphoma cells for their systemic dissemination. CMC-544, G5/44, CD33-targeted CMA-676 (control conjugate) or rituximab were given i.p. 3, 9, 15, or 21 days after B-cell lymphoma dissemination. Diseased mice were monitored daily for hind-limb paralysis and death. Histopathological examination of CMC-544-treated and vehicle-treated diseased mice was also performed. RESULTS Mice with disseminated B-cell lymphoma developed hind-limb paralysis within 35 days. When given up to 15 days after B-cell lymphoma dissemination, CMC-544 extended survival of the diseased mice to >100 days, and these mice were considered cured. CMC-544 was efficacious when given during both the early initiation phase and the late established phase of the disease. A single dose of CMC-544 was effective in delaying the occurrence of hind-limb paralysis. In contrast, neither CMA-676 nor unconjugated G5/44 was effective. Rituximab was effective when given early in the disease process but not when the disease was established. Histopathological analysis revealed B-cell lymphoma infiltration in brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, and kidney in vehicle-treated but not in CMC-544-treated diseased mice. Consistent with its efficacy against the disseminated B-cell lymphoma, CMC-544 also caused regression of established Ramos B-cell lymphoma xenografts in scid mice. CONCLUSIONS CMC-544 confers strong therapeutic activity against systemic disseminated B-cell lymphoma and protects mice from hind-limb paralysis and death. These results support clinical evaluation of CMC-544 in the treatment of CD22+ lymphoid malignancies.