An Overview of Uses for Ofatumumab
Ofatumumab (
Arzerra®) is a prescription injectable medication approved for the treatment of
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (
CLL) in people who did not adequately respond to treatment with
alemtuzumab (
Campath®) and fludarabine (Fludara
®). It belongs to a group of medicines known as monoclonal antibodies. Ofatumumab is given as 12 injections over 24 weeks.
Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells. It occurs when the bone marrow (the soft, middle part of the bone that makes blood cells) produces a large amount of abnormal blood cells, called
leukemia cells. These leukemia cells live longer, and eventually crowd out normal, healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, which can cause infections and other problems.
There are four main types of leukemia, which are generally classified by how quickly the disease develops and worsens (chronic versus acute) and by which blood cells are affected (lymphoid versus myeloid)
(see Types of Leukemia). Simply put,
acute leukemia is fast-growing and worsens quickly, while
chronic leukemia is slow-growing and worsens over years. Lymphoid leukemia starts in lymphocytes, while myeloid leukemia starts in blood cells.
CLL is a slow-growing leukemia affecting lymphocytes, a type of blood cell. This type of leukemia is more likely to develop in people who are 55 years old and older. It rarely occurs in children.
The symptoms of CLL can vary from person to person. However, common symptoms may include:
- Frequent infections
- Weakness or tiredness
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Pain in the bones or joints
- Weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Ofatumumab has been studied as a single agent (used alone) in the treatment of CLL. It has not been shown to decrease symptoms or prolong survival. However, in one clinical study, some people who had failed other treatments had at least a partial response to ofatumumab.
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