EU/3/20/2280: Orphan designation for the treatment of marginal zone lymphoma

Marginal zone lymphoma is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes or B cells. In marginal zone lymphoma, abnormal B cells multiply quickly and live for too long. The abnormal B cells affect various organs. Patients usually have fever, weight loss, tiredness and night sweats.

Marginal zone lymphoma is a life-threatening and long-term debilitating disease due to its effects on the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow, as well as the increased risk of infection.

At the time of designation, marginal zone lymphoma affected approximately 1.7 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 88,000 people^*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and the knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).

^*For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed on the basis of data from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the United Kingdom. This represents a population of 519,200,000 (Eurostat 2020).

At the time of designation, the main treatments for marginal zone lymphoma available in the EU included chemotherapy (cancer medicines), immunotherapy (using the body’s own immune system to kill cancer cells) with the medicine rituximab, radiotherapy (treatment with radiation) and surgery.

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that the medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with marginal zone lymphoma. Early data show that patients whose cancer has come back or failed to respond to several other treatments responded well to lutetium (177Lu) lilotomab satetraxetan. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.

This medicine contains an antibody (a type of protein) called lilotomab and the radioactive substance lutetium, which releases small amounts of radiation. When the medicine is given to the patient, the antibody attaches to a protein called CD37 found on the surface of cancer cells, while lutetium releases radiation which is expected to kill the cancer cells.

The effects of lutetium (177Lu) lilotomab satetraxetan have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the medicine in patients with marginal zone lymphoma were ongoing.

At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for the treatment of marginal zone lymphoma or designated as an orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 23 April 2020, recommending the granting of this designation.

• the seriousness of the condition;
• the existence of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment;
• either the rarity of the condition (affecting not more than 5 in 10,000 people in the EU) or insufficient returns on investment.

Designated orphan medicinal products are products that are still under investigation and are considered for orphan designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of quality, safety and efficacy is necessary before a product can be granted a marketing authorisation.