Alemtuzumab in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic lymphoma.
Alemtuzumab was the first monoclonal antibody to be humanized, a process which embeds rodent sequence fragments in a human IgG framework. The antibody target is CD52, an antigen expressed on normal lymphocytes as well as many T- and B-cell neoplasms. It therefore has a potential broad application across a spectrum of B- and T-cell malignancies as well as use as an immunosuppressant drug in, for example, bone marrow transplantation. The original licensing in the USA and Europe was for the treatment of fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, recent trials using alemtuzumab as a first-line agent for CLL have shown superior response rates compared with traditional alkylator therapy and this has led to US FDA approval for first-line treatment for CLL. It seems to be particularly useful in patients with CLL who have deletion of the TP53 tumor suppressor gene, a subset of disease that responds poorly to other currently available chemotherapeutics.
Boyd
Kevin
K
The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK. kboyd@doctors.org.uk
Dearden
Claire E
CE
D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015461:Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; C000613862:CD52 protein, human; D006023:Glycoproteins; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D000074323:Alemtuzumab