Development of T‐Cell‐Engaging Bispecific Antibody Blinatumomab (Blincyto®) for Treatment of B‐Cell Malignancies

The CD19/CD3-bispecific antibody construct blinatumomab (INN) is the first T-cell-engaging and first CD19-specific antibody approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Blinatumomab has therapeutic potential in all indications where depletion of normal or malignant B cells has therapeutic potential. This includes all B-cell-derived malignancies with the exception of those expressing no or very low levels of CD19, like multiple myeloma, but also inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, where B-cell depletion is beneficial. In 2012, Micromet, Inc., was acquired by California-based Amgen, Inc., who became instrumental for registration and launch of blinatumomab and broadening its clinical development program. This chapter reviews the history and properties of highly effective cancer therapy. The bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibodies were shown to form a regular cytolytic synapse as needed for targeted delivery of granzymes and perforins from T-cell granules into attached target cells.