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Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, in partnership with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and Celgene Corporation, a New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company, have launched a phase 1 human clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel monoclonal antibody for patients suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), according to a press release.

CLL is the most common form of blood cancer in adults. According to statistics, more than 15,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. 

The new antibody in question, would target ROR1 which is a protein used by embryonic cells during early development. The protein is also exploited by cancer cells to promote tumor growth and metastasis. 

"The primary goal of this phase I clinical trial is to evaluate whether cirmtuzumab is a safe and well-tolerated cancer stem cell-targeted agent in patients with CLL," said Jamieson, chief of the Division of Regenerative Medicine, associate professor of medicine, director of stem cell research at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, deputy director of the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center and the principal investigator of the cirmtuzumab clinical trial, in the press release.

"The trial will involve 33 to 78 patients with relapsed or refractory CLL, who will receive an intravenous infusion every 14 days at Moores, followed by regular monitoring and clinic visits to assess efficacy and identify and manage any adverse effects. Initial treatment is planned for two months," added Michael Choi, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine and co-principal investigator of the clinical trial. 

According to researchers, if drugs like cirmtuzumab, ultimately shows its effectiveness, it could lead to a new type of anti-cancer therapy.