Methods for treating a
human patient for a
cancer or pre-malignant condition that is associated with CD40-expressing cells are provided, where the
human patient is heterozygous or homozygous for FcγRIIIa-158F (
genotype V / F or F / F). Also provided are methods of inhibiting
antibody production by B cells in a
human patient who is heterozygous or homozygous for FcγRIIIa-158F (
genotype V / F or F / F). The methods comprise administering to the human patient a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an anti-CD40
antibody. Methods and kits for identifying a human patient with a
cancer or pre-malignant condition that is treatable with an anti-CD40
antibody and which is
refractory to treatment with
rituximab (Rituxan®), as well as methods and kits for selecting an
antibody therapy for treatment of a human patient having a
cancer or pre-malignant condition that is
refractory to treatment with
rituximab (Rituxan®), are also provided. The methods of the present invention find use in treatment of cancers and pre-malignant conditions that are associated with CD40-expressing cells. These methods are particularly advantageous with respect to cancers and pre-malignant conditions that are associated with cells expressing both CD40 and CD20, as the methods enable the treatment of patients having a cancer or pre-malignant condition that is
refractory to therapy with other oncotherapeutic agents such as anti-CD20 antibodies.