title: Ofatumumab for newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: Monoclonal antibodies have become an increasingly utilized treatment option for many hematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Ofatumumab is a second-generation fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that binds to the small extracellular loop of CD20, thereby producing complement-dependent cell lysis and antibody-mediated cell cytotoxicity in cells expressing CD20. Ofatumumab has shown efficacy in the treatment for relapsed or refractory CLL. This success has resulted in the recent US FDA approval of ofatumumab for the treatment of CLL in patients who are refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab-based regimens. Major side effects of ofatumumab include infusion reactions, neutropenia and increased risk for infection. This article provides an overview of the current data supporting the use of ofatumumab for CLL and projects the future role of ofatumumab as monotherapy and combination therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI 02906, USA.
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Reagan
authors.forename: Jorge J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Castillo
mesh_terms: D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D014740:Vidarabine; C527517:ofatumumab; C024352:fludarabine