KRN7000-pulsed autologous dendritic cells + lenalidomide

KRN7000-pulsed autologous dendritic cells + lenalidomide is an investigational combination immunotherapy regimen developed at Yale University for the treatment of smoldering multiple myeloma. The therapy utilizes autologous dendritic cells (DCs) that are pulsed ex vivo with KRN7000 (alpha-galactosylceramide), a synthetic glycolipid compound originally discovered by Kyowa Kirin. KRN7000 acts as a potent agonist for invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells when presented by CD1d molecules on the surface of dendritic cells. This presentation triggers the rapid activation and expansion of iNKT cells, which subsequently orchestrate a broad innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune response. This cellular vaccine is administered intravenously in combination with oral lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) that binds to the cereblon E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Lenalidomide enhances the immune-activating effects of the DC-KRN7000 therapy while providing direct anti-proliferative activity against malignant plasma cells. The regimen is specifically designed to prevent or delay the progression of asymptomatic smoldering myeloma to active, symptomatic disease.

Brand names

Revlimid

Other names

alpha-galactosylceramide-pulsed dendritic cellsKRN7000-loaded dendritic cellsKRN-7000-loaded dendritic cellsKRN 7000-loaded dendritic cellsalpha-galactosylceramide