Generic Name: blinatumomab
Drug Class: Targeted Therapy Medications
Company: Amgen
Approval Status: Approved
Generic Version Available: No
Drug Indication
Blincyto is a bispecific T-cell engager approved for adults and children with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
General Info
Blincyto is an engineered antibody that binds to both the CD19 protein on B cells that grow out of control in leukemia and lymphoma and the CD3 protein on the surface of T cells. It works by bringing T cells into contact with cancerous B cells and triggering an immune response against them.
Studies showed that Blincyto stops the growth of malignant B cells in patients who were not responding to prior treatment. In the TOWER study, people treated with Blincyto had improved overall survival compared with those who received chemotherapy. The BLAST trial showed that Blincyto helps eliminate traces of cancer cells in people who are in complete remission but still have minimal residual disease.
Dosage
Dosing Info:
Blincyto is given as an intravenous infusion. Hospitalization is recommended for the first and second cycles to monitor for severe reactions.
Side Effects
Common side effects include infections, fever, headache and infusion reactions. Blincyto can cause depletion of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (neutropenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia), which can lead to infections and easy bleeding. The Blincyto label includes a warning about cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially fatal excessive immune response, and severe neurological side effects.
For More Info: https://www.blincyto.com/
Patient Assistance Program Info: https://www.amgenassist360.com/patient/blincyto-cost-assistance/
Last Reviewed: November 29, 2018
