Phase I dose-escalation study of NKTR-255 (IL-15 agonist) for natural killer cell immunomodulation in hematologic malignancies

Recently, Future Oncology published the protocol and rationale for an ongoing Phase I dose-escalation study of an investigational interleukin-15 agonist – NKTR-255 – for use in multiple myeloma or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The trial is building on in vivo research demonstrating its immunomodulatory effects on natural killer (NK) cells; enhancing NK cell activity has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in hematologic malignancies. The Phase I study is investigating NKTR-255 as monotherapy and in combination with either daratumumab (Darzalex®; CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody) or rituximab (Mabthera®; CD20-targeted monoclonal antibody). The trial will recruit patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with documented disease progression