Introduction: Immunotherapy using mAbs is a safe and effective method for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other lymphoid malignancies. In recent years, mAbs based on selective B-cell depletion - rituximab, ofatumumab and obinutuzumab - have been approved for use in CLL therapy. More recently, CD37, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily of cell surface antigens, has been considered as a target for B-cell malignancies.
Areas covered: The results of preclinical and early clinical studies suggest that in patients with CLL, newer anti-CD37 agents, otlertuzumab (formerly known as TRU-016), BI 836826, IMGN529 and (177)Lu-tetulomab can be useful in the treatment of this disease.
Expert opinion: CD37 may offer advantages over CD20 as a target for CLL cells. It is selectively expressed on normal mature B cells and by most B-cell malignancies. Anti-CD37 antibodies may be useful for patients resistant or refractory to anti-CD20 mAb therapy or relapsing after such treatment. The development of these agents into a clinically useful therapy for CLL is probably many years away and will be followed with great interest by laboratory investigators and clinicians.