Clinical role of obinutuzumab in the treatment of naive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The introduction of targeted therapy against CD20(+) with the monoclonal antibody rituximab has dramatically improved the survival of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Unfortunately, CLL remains incurable with chemoimmunotherapy, with many patients having refractory or relapsing disease after rituximab-containing therapy. Obinutuzumab (GA101) is a novel humanized Type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has been investigated and compared to rituximab. Here, we provide an overview of obinutuzumab, including its mechanisms of action, preclinical data, and Phase I to III clinical studies. Preclinical data illustrate obinutuzumab’s higher potency compared to rituximab through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and direct cell death. Recently, the CLL11 study presented a significant benefit from obinutuzumab chemoimmunotherapy and supports its use for treatment-naive unfit CLL patients. Herein, we review that obinutuzumab is both a safe and effective alternative to rituximab.