lumiliximab

Lumiliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody (IgG1κ) that targets CD23, also known as the low-affinity immunoglobulin epsilon Fc receptor (FcεRII), which is expressed on mature B cells and virtually all chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. Developed as an immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agent, lumiliximab was designed to inhibit IgE antibody production for potential use in allergic conditions and B-cell malignancies. Its mechanism of action involves binding to CD23, leading primarily to induction of apoptosis in target cells via the intrinsic pathway—downregulating antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and XIAP; activating Bax; and releasing cytochrome c from mitochondria. While it can mediate some complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), its main effect is direct induction of apoptosis rather than complement activation. Lumiliximab showed synergistic effects when combined with fludarabine or rituximab in preclinical studies. It was developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals (later acquired by Biogen) for indications including CLL and allergic asthma but did not achieve regulatory approval due to insufficient efficacy in pivotal trials[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].

Other names

6G5Gomiliximab