Generic Name: alemtuzumab
Other Market Name: Lemtrada
Drug Class: Targeted Therapy Medications
Company: Berlex
Approval Status: Approved
Generic Version Available: Yes
Drug Indication
Campath is a targeted therapy approved for people with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia who were previously treated with other medications. It is no longer commercially available for leukemia, but has been rebranded as Lemtrada for multiple sclerosis.
General Info
Campath is a monoclonal antibody that binds to CD52, a protein expressed on mature lymphocytes including B cells that grow out of control in people with leukemia.
Clinical trials showed that Campath reduces the risk of disease progression or death compared with standard chemotherapy. It is also being tested for T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.
Dosage
Dosing Info:
Campath is administered as an intravenous infusion. It may be given with other medications to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
Side Effects
Common side effects include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin rash, itching, fatigue, headache, bone and muscle pain, mouth sores, weakness, dizziness, swelling, respiratory inflammation and low blood pressure. It can cause depletion of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (neutropenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia), which can lead to infections and easy bleeding. The Campath label includes a warning about less common but more serious side effects including serious infusion reactions and increased risk of opportunistic infections.
For More Info: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2001/alemmil050701LB.htm
Last Reviewed: November 8, 2018
