Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acute Myeloid Leukemia, including details on aml, symptoms, treatment, information.

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin: an anti-CD33 immunoconjugate for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia.

Stasi R

Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Department of Medical Sciences, Via S. Francesco, 50, 00041 Albano Laziale, Italy. roberto.stasi@uniroma2.it

BACKGROUND: Gemtuzumab ozogamicin consists of a semisynthetic derivative of calicheamicin, a potent cytotoxic antibiotic, linked to a humanized anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody. OBJECTIVES: To describe the pharmacology of gemtuzumab ozogamicin and to provide an overview of clinical trials in acute myeloid leukaemia. METHODS: Review and summary of publications on gemtuzumab ozogamicin indexed in the PubMed electronic database. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Gemtuzumab ozogamicin has shown moderate activity as a single agent in patients with CD33-positive refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia, with more promising results in acute promyelocytic leukaemia. The side effect profile may be an improvement on conventional chemotherapy, except for a higher frequency of veno-occlusive disease or sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, especially after a subsequent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Because of the different mechanisms of action and non-overlapping toxicities, the integration of this immunoconjugate with standard chemotherapy is a rational approach, and Phase III trials are ongoing both in the induction and in the post-remission settings.

Published 20 March 2008 in Expert Opin Biol Ther, 8(4): 527-40.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Today. All Rights Reserved.