title: Pilot experience with continuous infusion alemtuzumab in patients with fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: We evaluated the activity and tolerability of alemtuzumab given as a continuous infusion for 7 d followed by subcutaneous administration for 11 wk as salvage therapy for 10 patients with fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The continuous infusion of alemtuzumab was well tolerated. The typical infusion reaction seen with intravenous alemtuzumab was abolished. Two patients achieved a partial response with an overall response rate of 20%. Alemtuzumab levels were measured in four patients and detectable levels were obtained in three. Clinical activity needs to be confirmed in a larger patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-1402, USA. aferrajo@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrajoli
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Wierda
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: LaPushin
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faderl
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Keating
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine