Conatumumab: a novel monoclonal antibody against death receptor 5 for the treatment of advanced malignancies in adults.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced malignancies that are refractory to standard chemotherapy have few treatment options. Conatumumab is an investigational, fully human monoclonal agonist antibody directed at human death receptor DR5, which is expressed in multiple advanced cancers. AREAS COVERED: The rationale for the use of conatumumab based on in vitro, in vivo, Phase I, and Phase II data will be discussed. EXPERT OPINION: Conatumumab, at a dose of 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks, has demonstrated acceptable safety and tolerability in patients with advanced tumors based on available and published data. Further clinical trials are underway evaluating the use of conatumumab in combination with chemotherapeutic and targeted agents.