Common brand names

• Epkinly

How it is administered

Epcoritamab is given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin), usually in the lower part of the abdomen or thigh. The medication is supplied in single-dose vials and is administered by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital setting. The dosing schedule follows a step-up approach, starting with lower doses and gradually increasing to the full dose to help reduce the risk of side effects, particularly cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Treatment is given in 28-day cycles, and the frequency of injections decreases over time as you continue treatment.

How it works

Epcoritamab is a type of immunotherapy known as a bispecific antibody. It is designed to connect two types of cells in your body: T-cells (a type of immune cell) and B-cells (which can become cancerous in certain blood cancers). Epcoritamab binds to the CD3 receptor on T-cells and the CD20 receptor on B-cells, including lymphoma cells. By bringing these cells together, epcoritamab activates the T-cells to attack and destroy the cancerous B-cells.

This targeted approach helps your immune system recognize and kill lymphoma cells that might otherwise evade detection. Epcoritamab has been shown to reduce the number of circulating B-cells to undetectable levels in most patients, and it can cause a temporary increase in certain immune system proteins (cytokines) as your body responds to the treatment.

Who should take it

Epcoritamab is used to treat adults with certain types of blood cancers that have come back (relapsed) or have not responded to previous treatments (refractory). Specifically, it is indicated for:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including cases that have arisen from slower-growing lymphomas or are considered high-grade, after two or more previous lines of systemic therapy.
• Follicular lymphoma (FL) in adults who have already received at least two prior treatments.

Epcoritamab is generally considered when other standard treatments have not been effective, and it is approved based on its ability to shrink tumors and how long these responses last.

Who should not take it

There are currently no absolute contraindications listed for epcoritamab, meaning there are no specific conditions where it should never be used. However, it should be used with caution in certain situations:

• If you have an active infection, treatment should be delayed until the infection has resolved.
• Women who are pregnant should not use epcoritamab, as it may cause harm to the unborn baby. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
• The safety and effectiveness of epcoritamab in children have not been established.

Always discuss your full medical history with your healthcare provider before starting this medication.

Commonly used with

Epcoritamab is typically used as a single agent (monotherapy) for patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma, especially after other treatments have failed. Before starting epcoritamab, your doctor may prescribe medications such as corticosteroids (like dexamethasone), acetaminophen, and antihistamines to help reduce the risk of side effects like CRS. You may also receive preventive medications to reduce the risk of certain infections.

Commonly tested with

In clinical trials, epcoritamab has been tested primarily as a single agent in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas. Some studies have also examined its use in combination with other therapies, but its main FDA-approved use is as a monotherapy after other treatments have not worked. Your healthcare team may also monitor your blood counts and organ function regularly while you are on epcoritamab.