A Novel Step-Up Dosage Regimen for Enhancing the Benefit-to-Risk Ratio of Mosunetuzumab in Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma

Abstract

Mosunetuzumab, a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody targeting CD20xCD3, is approved for treating relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. This research supports the approved intravenous clinical dose regimen, summarizing the exposure–response relationships for clinical safety and efficacy. A population pharmacokinetic model and Emax logistic regression exposure–response models for safety and efficacy were developed using data from 439 patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 159 patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma, respectively, from a Phase I/II study (NCT02500407). Data from 0.2 to 60 mg across fixed dosing (Cohort A) and Cycle 1 step-up dosing (Cohort B) were used. Exposure–response models, using two-cycle area-under-the-concentration curve (AUC0–42) as the primary exposure endpoint, accurately depicted the complete response and objective response rate data across a 600-fold AUC0–42 range. The approved clinical dose regimen of 1/2/60/30 mg achieved near-maximal efficacy, with model-estimated CR and ORR (90% confidence interval) of 63.1% (49.7–75.0) and 79.1% (69.1–87.7), respectively. The exposure–response analysis for Grade ≥ 2 cytokine release syndrome identified receptor occupancy (%) within the first two cycles as a driver, with CRS dissipating beyond the first dosing cycle. No exposure-dependent increases were observed for other serious adverse events, including neutropenia and infections. The approved intravenous step-up dose regimen (i.e., step doses of 1 and 2 mg on Day 1 and 8, respectively) mitigated severe CRS risk, allowing safe administration of loading (60 mg) and target doses (30 mg every 3 weeks) to achieve a favorable benefit–risk profile.