Alemtuzumab bound to a
small synthetic antigen.
Alemtuzumab, better known by its most high-profile trade name Campath, is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma. It can be administered either intravenously or subcutaneously.
Drug profile
- Class: Monoclonal antibody
- Mechanism of action:
- Treatment type: Biological therapy
- US approval: 2001 (accelerated); 2007 (regular)
- Synonyms: Mabcampath
- FDA Use-in-Pregnancy Rating: Category C
What Campath is effective for and why
Campath has been approved by the FDA as a single agent in the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Campath side effects
Like other monoclonal antibodies, alemtuzumab is associated with a laundry list of potential side effects. Many of them are experienced by only a minority of patients, but others are considered serious and clinically significant. They include immunosuppression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hypotension, and anorexia, along with a host of bacterial, fungal, viral or protozoan infections; this side effect presents the largest threat to the life of the patient since the patient is immunocompromised while receiving alemtuzumab and is therefore vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
References
Significant studies relating to alemtuzumab
