What is "blinatumomab"

n. A particular fusion protein with anticancer properties.

Blinatumomab (trade name Blincyto, previously known as AMG103 and MT103) is a biopharmaceutical drug used as a second-line treatment for Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It belongs to a class of constructed monoclonal antibodies, bi-specific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), that exert action selectively and direct the human immune system to act against tumor cells. Blinatumomab specifically targets the CD19 antigen present on B cells. In December 2014 it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration under the accelerated approval program; marketing authorization depended on the outcome of clinical trials that were ongoing at the time of approval. When it launched, blinatumomab was priced at $178,000 per year in the United States; only about 1,000 people were eligible to take the drug, based on its label.