The CD20 antibodies were incubated with tumor cells and analyzed using spinning disk confocal fluorescent microscopy. Genmab says that this technology allows imaging of the effects on target cells induced by therapeutic antibodies in real-time. Both antibodies were found to activate complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and induced changes in both shape and appearance of target cells.
Direct comparisons of ofatumumab and rituximab revealed ofatumumab to induce much more rapid and profound CDC and far more impressive cell changes than rituximab. Furthermore, this lead to more effective killing of target cells by ofatumumab, according to the company.
“This study supports the growing body of preclinical research that suggests ofatumumab may be more effective in eliminating target cells and treating diseases such as lymphoid cancers and rheumatoid arthritis than existing therapies,” said Lisa Drakeman, CEO of Genmab.