Campath
The following drug information is obtained from various newswires, published
medical journal articles, and medical conference presentations.
General Information
Campath, a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been approved as
an injectable treatment for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
(B-CLL). Campath is designed for use in B-CLL patients who have
been treated with alkylating agents and have failed fludarabine
therapy. This drug gives refractory B-CLL patients a new hope for
treatment, as there are no other approved therapeutic options.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most prevalent form of
leukemia in adults and affects approximately 120,000 patients in
the United States and Europe. B-CLL is characterized by an
accumulation of leukemic lymphocytes in the bone marrow, blood, and
other body tissues. This accumulation leads to bone marrow
dysfunction and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.
Related symptoms of the disease include fatigue, bone pain, night
sweats, decreased appetite, and weight loss.
Clinical Results
Campath was evaluated in a multi-center, open-label,
noncomparative study of 93 B-CLL patients previously treated with
alkylating agents, who had failed fludarabine treatment. There were
also two supportive, multi-center, open-label, noncomparative
trials of Campath enrolling a total of 56 B-CLL patients. Results
were determined by objective tumor response rates and duration of
response, as defined by the NCI Working Group Response
Criteria.
In the largest of the three trials, an overall response rate of
33 percent was observed, with a median duration of seven months. A
30 percent mortality rate was recorded, either during the study or
within six months of its completion. Half of these deaths were due
to progression of the disease, while the other half were related to
Campath therapy. Adverse events associated with Campath therapy
included infusion-related events, infections, and hematological
toxicity.
Side Effects
Adverse events associated with the use of Campath therapy may include (but are not limited to) the following:
Neurotropenia
- Fever and rigors
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Sepsis
- Pneumonia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Hypotension
Mechanism of Action
Campath (alemtuzumab) works by binding to the CD52 antigen that
is present on the surface of the malignant lymphocytes. After
binding, the drug induces antibody-dependent lysis, or killing.
This causes the removal of malignant lymphocytes from the blood,
bone marrow, and other affected organs.
Additional Information
For additional information on Campath, please visit
Campath.
