title: Spectrum of infection, risk and recommendations for prophylaxis and screening among patients with lymphoproliferative disorders treated with alemtuzumab*.
abstract: There is an increasing use of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of haematological malignancies. Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H; Ilex Pharmaceuticals, San Antonio, TX, USA) is a monoclonal antibody reactive with the CD52 antigen used as first and second line therapy for two types of lymphoproliferative disorders: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and T-cell lymphomas [both peripheral (PTCL) and cutaneous (CTCL)]. With alemtuzumab therapy, viral, bacterial and fungal infectious complications are frequent, and may be life threatening. An understanding of the patients at highest risk and duration of risk are important in developing recommendations for empirical management, antimicrobial prophylaxis and targeted surveillance. This review discusses the infection risks associated with these lymphoproliferative disorders and their treatment, and provide detailed recommendations for screening and prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Karin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Thursky
authors.forename: Leon J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Worth
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Seymour
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miles Prince
authors.forename: Monica A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Slavin
mesh_terms: D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab