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What is alemtuzumab?

Updated: 12/10/2022
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Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to CD52.that is used to reduce the numbers of circulating malignant cells of patients who have B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).Alemtuzumab is sold as Campath

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What is the trade name for alemtuzumab in the United States?

Alemtuzumab is sold as Campath in the United States


What drug interactions of alemtuzumab?

There have been no formal drug interaction studies done for alemtuzumab.


What precautions are associated with alemtuzumab?

Blood studies should be done on a weekly basis while patients are receiving the alemtuzumab treatment.Vaccination during the treatment session is not recommended.use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended unless clearly needed.


What conditions are treated with alemtuzumab?

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat B-CLL.limited success in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and for the preparation of patients with various immune cell malignancies for bone marrow transplantation.


Is Alemtuzumab or Campath available in the Netherlands for patients with Multiple Sclerosis?

I don't think so


How do you treat cll?

treatments for Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) include fludarabine and rituximab, alemtuzumab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone, and many moe.


What are side effects from alemtuzumab?

.possible depletion of one or more types of blood cells.the prevalence of opportunistic infections that occurs during the treatment.fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, skin rash, and unusual fatigue.


How is chemo used to treat MS?

Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cells. In cancer, the therapy is targeted towards tumor cells, but for patients with MS, chemotherapy focuses on reducing the number of white blood cells. Because MS is an autoimmune disease, it causes the body’s own immune system to go into overdrive. The white blood cells begin to attack the brain in order to combat the disease, but this directly causes the inflammation that leads to the lesions and the symptoms. By taking chemotherapy drugs like mitoxantrone and alemtuzumab, the white blood cells are greatly reduced in an attempt to stop the attack on the brain and reduce symptoms. Using chemotherapy to treat MS is still a new process. Clinical trials have proven successful, although chemotherapy drugs often have high-risk side effects, including cardiovascular failure and leukemia. Because of this, many doctors will not consider chemotherapy as a treatment unless other treatments methods have failed.


Graft-versus-host disease?

DefinitionGraft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complication that can occur after a stem cell or bone marrow transplant in which the newly transplanted material attacks the transplant recipient's body.See also: Transplant rejectionAlternative NamesGVHDCauses, incidence, and risk factorsGVHD occurs in a bone marrow or stem cell transplant involving a donor and a recipient. The bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells, including white cells that are responsible for the immune response. Stem cells are normall found inside bone marrow.Since only identical twins have identical tissue types, a donor's bone marrow is normally a close, but not perfect, match to the recipient's tissues. See: Histocompatibility antigen testThe differences between the donor's cells and recipient's tissues often cause T cells (a type of white blood cells) from the donor to recognize the recipient's body tissues as foreign. When this happens, the newly transplanted cells attack the transplant recipient's body.Acute GVHD usually happens within the first 3 months after transplant. Chronic GVHD usually starts more than 3 months after transplant, and can last a lifetime.Rates of GVHD vary from between 30 - 40% among related donors and recipients to 60 - 80% between unrelated donors and recipients. The greater the mismatch between donor and recipient, the greater the risk of GVHD. After a transplant, the recipient usually takes drugs that suppress the immune system, which helps reduce the chances (or severity) of GVHD.SymptomsSymptoms in both acute and chronic GVHD range from mild to severe.Common acute symptoms include:Abdominal pain or crampsDiarrheaFeverJaundiceSkin rashVomitingWeight lossChronic symptoms may include:Dry eyes and dry mouthHair lossHepatitisLung and digestive tract disordersSkin rashSkin thickeningIn both acute and chronic GVHD, the patient is very vulnerable to infections.Signs and testsThe tests done usually depend on the symptoms, but may include:Gastrointestinal endoscopy, with or without a biopsyLiver function tests (AST, ALP, and bilirubin levels will be increased)Liver biopsy(if the patient only has liver symptoms)Lung x-raysSkin biopsyTreatmentThe goal of treatment is to suppress the immune response without damaging the new cells. Medicines commonly used include methotrexate, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, ATG, and alemtuzumab either alone or in combination.High-dose corticosteroids are the most effective treatment for acute GVHD. Antibodies to T cells and other medicines are given to patients who do not respond to steroids.Treatment of chronic GVHD includes prednisone (a steroid) with or without cyclosporine. Other treatments include mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamycin), and tacrolimus (Prograf).Expectations (prognosis)How well a person does depends on the severity of the condition. Some cases of GVHD can lead to death.Many cases, whether acute or chronic, can be treated successfully. Sometimes treatment of the condition can lead to severe complications.Successful treatment of GVHD does not guarantee that the transplant itself will succeed in treating the original disease.ComplicationsCholestasisDeathModerate to severe damage to the liver, lung, or digestive tractSevere infectionSevere lung diseaseCalling your health care providerIf you have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, call your health care provider immediately if any unusual symptoms appear, including:DiarrheaDifficulty breathingSkin rashStomach crampsYellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)PreventionBefore a transplant, your blood type and tissue type will be carefully matched with eligible donors. This matching will reduce the risk of GVHD. Whenever possible, donations from closely matched family members can further decrease the risk of this problem. Absolute prevention of GVHD is not possible, and it is a risk when receiving a transplant from anyone else.ReferencesHoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008.Sykes M. Transplantation immunology. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 46.