Polatuzumab vedotin, an anti-CD79b antibody–drug conjugate for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Refractory/relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma remains a major unmet medical need with poor outcome, especially for patients considered ineligible for stem cell transplant. Polatuzumab vedotin (PV) is a first-in-class anti-CD79b antibody–drug conjugate that contains the microtubule inhibitor monomethyl auristatin E. The development of PV is currently very active. This drug was US FDA approved in 2019 in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for the treatment of refractory/relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in third line and more, after demonstrating relevant efficacy and acceptable safety in a pivotal randomized Phase II trial. This review summarizes the features of this new drug with the primary focus on the clinical work supporting efficacy, relevance and tolerability of PV. Polatuzumab vedotin is a new compound with an innovative construction. It combines an antibody which targets the surface of lymphoma cells and a drug killing these cells. The binding of this compound to the cancer cell allows for specific delivery of the drug to the cell. It avoids the side effects of usual chemotherapy. This compound is now approved in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of some lymphomas. This review presents the characteristics, advantages and limitations of this compound.