CAMPATH (alemtuzumab) for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and beyond.
CAMPATH (CAMPATH-1H, alemtuzumab, MabCAMPATH), is a lymphocyte-depleting humanized monoclonal antibody that was recently approved in the USA and Europe for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It targets CD52--a small glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein that is highly expressed on normal T- and B-lymphocytes and on a large proportion of lymphoid cell malignancies--but not on hematopoietic progenitor cells. CAMPATH was shown to be effective against CLL refractory to chemotherapy with an acceptable toxicity profile. CAMPATH is also active against T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia and has been extensively used to prevent graft-versus-host disease associated with bone marrow transplantation. CAMPATH is owned by ILEX Pharmaceuticals LP and distributed by Schering AG and its US affiliate Berlex Laboratories.
Dumont
Francis J
FJ
Merck Research Laboratories, RY80W107, 126 East Lincoln Avenue, Rahway 07065, NJ, USA. Francis_Dumont@merck.com
D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017277:Drug Approval; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012449:Safety
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab