Blinatumomab is a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody that targets two proteins: CD19, found on B-cell lymphocytes (including those in certain blood cancers), and CD3, found on T-cells. By binding to both CD19 and CD3, blinatumomab brings T-cells into close proximity with B-cells, including malignant (cancerous) B-cells. This connection activates the T-cells, prompting them to attack and destroy the CD19-positive B-cells.

The medication leads to the formation of an immune synapse between the T-cell and the cancer cell, resulting in T-cell activation, proliferation, and the release of cytotoxic proteins and inflammatory cytokines. This immune response helps eliminate cancerous B-cells from the body. Blinatumomab is especially useful in treating blood cancers like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is being studied and used in other CD19-positive blood cancers, including lymphoblastic lymphoma.

blinatumomab

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