How Do Anti-CD38 Monoclonal Antibodies Work?

nti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies are a class of drugs used alone or in combination with other medications to treat multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow) in newly diagnosed people and in people who have not improved with treatment or who have improved after treatment with other medications, but the condition returned or is unresponsive to at least one other treatment.

They are a type of targeted therapy that works by binding to CD38 (a protein), which is overexpressed in multiple myeloma cells.

Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies are administered as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein). Initially, they are given on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of the first 28-day cycle. After the first cycle, they are typically given on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle.

Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies work in the following ways:

• They work by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
• They are a targeted therapy that works by binding to CD38, which is overexpressed in multiple myeloma cells.
• They block CD38 and help the immune system to kill the cancer cells.

Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies are used to treat conditions such as:

• Multiple myeloma (cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called plasma cell)
• Amyloidosis (a rare disease that occurs when a substance called amyloid accumulates in the organs)

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Tiredness/weakness
• Back/joint pain
• Loss of appetite

Other rare side effects include:

• Dizziness 
• Fatigue 
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Insomnia 
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Easy bruising
• Unusual bleeding
• Shortness of breath
• Chills, sore throat, fever, or cough
• Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)
• Hypokalemia (low blood potassium level)
• Arthralgia (inflammation of a joint)

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies include:

• Daratumumab
• Daratumumab/hyaluronidase
• Daratumumab/hyaluronidase-fihj
• Darzalex
• Darzalex Faspro
• Isatuximab
• Isatuximab-irfc
• Sarclisa