Publications by authors named "Balaji Balasa"

The CD25-binding antibody daclizumab high-yield process (DAC HYP) is an interleukin (IL)-2 signal modulating antibody that shares primary amino acid sequence and CD25 binding affinity with Zenapax®, a distinct form of daclizumab, which was approved for the prevention of acute organ rejection in patients receiving renal transplants as part of an immunosuppressive regimen that includes cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Comparison of the physicochemical properties of the two antibody forms revealed the glycosylation profile of DAC HYP differs from Zenapax in both glycan distribution and the types of oligosaccharides, most notably high-mannose, galactosylated and galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) oligosaccharides, resulting in a DAC HYP antibody material that is structurally distinct from Zenapax. Although neither antibody elicited complement-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro, DAC HYP antibody had significantly reduced levels of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).

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Elotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-F7 (SLAMF7, also known as CS1, CD319, or CRACC) that enhances natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of SLAMF7-expressing myeloma cells. This study explored the mechanisms underlying enhanced myeloma cell killing with elotuzumab as a single agent and in combination with lenalidomide, to support ongoing phase III trials in patients with relapsed/refractory or newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). An in vitro peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL)/myeloma cell co-culture model was developed to evaluate the combination of elotuzumab and lenalidomide.

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The infiltration of monocytes represents an important early event in the development of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. Given that chemokines are key regulators of leukocyte trafficking, we examined the requirement for the chemokine receptors beta(CC)-chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5) and beta(CC)-chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2), which recruit monocytes, in disease development in the NOD mouse. Whereas the onset of diabetes was significantly delayed in CCR2-/-NOD mice (25% at 30 weeks) compared to NOD mice (50% at 28 weeks), the pathogenesis of diabetes was accelerated in CCR5-/-NOD mice (75% at 23 weeks).

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Article Synopsis
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy, specifically elotuzumab targeting the CS1 protein, shows promise for treating multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, despite previous challenges due to a lack of suitable targets.
  • Elotuzumab was found to effectively kill myeloma cells in bone marrow environments and its efficacy could be boosted when combined with bortezomib, a drug that inhibits proteasomes and is already used in myeloma treatment.
  • The study suggests that a clinical trial should test the combination of elotuzumab and bortezomib to potentially improve treatment outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
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Purpose: We generated a humanized antibody, HuLuc63, which specifically targets CS1 (CCND3 subset 1, CRACC, and SLAMF7), a cell surface glycoprotein not previously associated with multiple myeloma. To explore the therapeutic potential of HuLuc63 in multiple myeloma, we examined in detail the expression profile of CS1, the binding properties of HuLuc63 to normal and malignant cells, and the antimyeloma activity of HuLuc63 in preclinical models.

Experimental Design: CS1 was analyzed by gene expression profiling and immunohistochemistry of multiple myeloma samples and numerous normal tissues.

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Epidemiological studies have associated coxsackie B virus (CBV) with the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in humans. Infections of genetically susceptible mice with CBV strain 4 (CB4) induce autoimmune diabetes. Herein, we demonstrate that in mice, CB4 infection of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells does not directly cause beta cell death.

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