美一公司的抗白血病新药获FDA批准 2001年5月11日
    美国Millennium制药公司于本周一宣布，该公司与Ilex Oncology公司合作研制的抗白血病药物Campath（alemtuzumab）已经获得美国食品和药品管理局（FDA）的批准。
　　尽管在临床试验中有患者因使用Campath而死亡，但FDA仍批准该药可用于那些烷化剂和氟达拉宾无效的B细胞性慢性淋巴细胞性白血病治疗。
　　Campath是一种人源性单克隆抗体，主要作用于存在于B和T淋巴细胞上的CD52抗原，从而破坏淋巴细胞。
　　尽管Campath临床研究中存在30％的死亡率（约半数是治疗相关性死亡，包括血液毒性反应如骨髓增生低下）以及较高的感染率，但是该药总有效率可达到33%，平均有效持续时间为7个月。在2个小规模临床试验中，其有效率分别为21%和29%，平均有效持续时间分别为7和11个月。
　　在2000年的晚些时候，FDA顾问委员会投票表决，以14票对1票建议加快Campath批准应用，这将允许药物一边在随访研究中搞清未明的问题，一边上市。但是，必须在包装盒上注明应警惕药物的血液毒性、输注反应和治疗相关的感染。
　　最近该药品已提请欧洲联盟批准以MabCampath的名称在欧盟市场上市，预计在今年下半年可获欧盟的最终批准。
　　Millennium制药公司称，作为单独用药或联合治疗，Campath正被考虑用于血液肿瘤包括外周和皮肤T细胞淋巴瘤、自体免疫性疾病如多发性硬化的治疗和器官移植排异反应的治疗。
德国Schering AG公司治疗癌症的氟达拉滨新型口服制剂，Fludara Oral(Ⅰ)已在其第一个市场英国上市，用于B细胞慢性淋巴细胞性白血病(CLL)的二线治疗。静脉注射用氟达拉滨是在烷化剂以后治疗B细胞CLL的金标准二线药，如病人不能上医院去接受静脉注射，则(Ⅰ)是有用的。
在此期间，因FDA顾问委员会于去年年底支持Campath(alemtuzumab),Sche-ring公司的CLL专利业务不久将得到进一步扩大。用烷化剂和氟达拉滨治疗无效的病人可用Campath治疗。该药用于CLL的申报文件正在接受EMEA评审。
另外，Schering已获得Climodien(地诺孕素+雌二醇戊酸酯)的荷兰销售许可证。Climodien是治疗绝经后症状的持续性复合激素替代治疗药。预期今年年底前通过相互承认程序也可获得其余欧盟国家的许可证。
减少器官移植排异新技术Campath
2000-9-30
伦敦消息，英国剑桥大学卡恩教授最近透露，他和同事开发出一种可减少器官移植排异的新技术，在３０名患者身上进行试验获得了良好效果。
　　植入患者体内的新器官会被患者免疫系统认为是“异物”而遭到排异。为了防止这种情况，医生们在手术中经常同时采用多种药物，对患者免疫系统进行抑制。但这些抑制免疫药物通常副作用较大，并有可能增加患者得癌症和脆骨症等疾病的危险。
　　英国《独立报》２７日报道说，卡恩教授等研究出的新技术，需要在患者手术前向其体内注入一种名为“坎帕斯”（ＣＡＭＰＡＴＨ）的人工合成抗体。该抗体可暂时清除血液中的淋巴细胞，使免疫系统处于失效状态。这使得器官植入患者体内后，不会马上遭到患者免疫系统的排异。免疫系统在一、两个月的逐渐恢复中，会把被移植器官“误认为”是患者体内原有的组成部分。
　　研究人员用新技术对３０名接受肾脏移植的患者进行试验后发现，新技术能将被移植器官遭排斥的可能性降低约５０％。另外，采用新技术后患者可只服用一种药物，而药剂量只有原来的一半左右。
(FDA)美國食品藥物管理局 2001年5月批准上市
德國Schering AG公司治療癌症的氟達拉濱新型口服制劑，用于B細胞慢性淋巴細胞性白血病(CLL)的二線治療。靜脈注射用氟達拉濱是在烷化劑以后治療B細胞CLL的金標准二線藥。
Drug Name: Campath
The following information is obtained from various newswires, published medical journal articles, and medical conference
presentations.
Company: Berlex Laboratories
Approval Status: Approved May 2001
Treatment for: Leukemia
General Information
Campath, a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been approved as an injectable treatment for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Campath is designed for use in B-CLL patients who have been treated with alkylating agents and have failed fludarabine therapy. This drug gives refractory B-CLL patients a new hope for treatment, as there are no other approved therapeutic options.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most prevalent form of leukemia in adults and affects approximately 120,000 patients in
 the United States and Europe. B-CLL is characterized by an accumulation of leukemic lymphocytes in the bone marrow, blood, and other body tissues. This
accumulation leads to bone marrow
dysfunction and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Related symptoms of the disease include fatigue, bone
pain, night sweats, decreased appetite,
and weight loss.
Clinical Results
Campath was evaluated in a multi-center, open-label, noncomparative study of 93 B-CLL patients previously treated with alkylating agents, who had failed fludarabine
 treatment. There were also two supportive, multi-center, open-label, noncomparative trials of Campath enrolling a total of 56 B-CLL patients. Results were determined by objective tumor response rates and duration of response, as defined by the NCI Working
Group Response Criteria.
In the largest of the three trials, an overall response rate of 33 percent was observed, with a median duration of seven months. A 30
percent mortality rate was
recorded, either during the study or within six months of its completion. Half of these deaths were due to progression of the disease,
while the other half were
 related to Campath therapy. Adverse events associated with Campath therapy included infusion-related events, infections, and hematological toxicity.
Side Effects
Adverse events associated with the use of Campath therapy may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Neurotropenia
· Fever and rigors
· Anemia
· Thrombocytopenia
· Sepsis
· Pneumonia
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Rash
· Hypotension
Mechanism of Action
Campath (alemtuzumab) works by binding to the CD52 antigen that is present on the surface of the malignant lymphocytes. After
binding, the drug induces antibody-dependent lysis, or killing. This causes the removal of malignant lymphocytes from the blood, bone marrow, and other affected organs.
Additional Information
For additional information on Campath, please visit Campath.

FDA专题小组推荐Campath
2001/02/28
    美国FDA肿瘤药物顾问委员会已推荐Millenium Pharmaceuticals与Ilex Dncology公司的人化抗淋巴细胞单克隆抗体Campath(alemtuzumab)(Ⅰ)的加速批准，用于已用过烷化剂治疗和氟达拉滨(fludarabine)(Ⅱ)治疗无效的慢性淋巴 细胞性白血病(CLL)病人。
    专题小组会以14对1票通示(Ⅰ)，其决定是依据一项关键的Ⅱ期试验和二项 以前的试验结果。在关键的93例病人的试验中，(Ⅰ)组有33%的病人有效，平均有效期为7个月。23%的病人的客观有效期一年多。
    FDA也要求Millenium作进一步试验或从目前的研究中搜寻更多的资料。如果获批，(Ⅰ)将与(Ⅱ)在美国竞争，后者是Schering公司销售的，于1999年获准用于难治性CLL病人。
    在该关键性试验中，病人接受(Ⅰ)递增剂量以尽量减少输液引起的相关副作 用，达每周三次，每次30mg，共4～12周。平均存活时间16个月，比以前的对(Ⅱ) 治疗无效而用其它疗法的CCL病人研究所见到的3～10个月存活时间长些。但不是 所有的病人一样受益，FDA医药评审Genevieve Schechter说，研究6个月结束时， 已有28例死亡，30例因感染、血液学毒性反应或输液相关/反应而中止治疗，还有67%有严重的不良反应。
    约30%的病人有3级或4级的机会性感染，其中23例是肺炎。其他感染是系列感染、脓毒症、巨细胞病毒与疱疹。副作用有发热、赛战、恶心呕吐与皮疹，与每周三次的二小时输液相关，见于90%的病人。
    (Ⅰ)的半衰期较长，故其已知的免疫抑制与血液学毒性等副作用也较持久，对严重的白血病患者增加了危险。然而，只有一项对比性试验可能确定是(Ⅰ)或基础疾病导致死亡及不良反应。所有病人都是重病人，因过去用过(Ⅱ)故在试验 之前即有广泛的免疫抑制。

Campath(ALEMTUZUMAB)英文说明书 
Package Insert
Campath® (ALEMTUZUMAB)
Millennium and ILEX Partners, LP
Table of Contents
Description
Clinical Pharmacology
Clinical Studies
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings
Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage
Dosage and Administration
How Supplied
WARNING Campath should be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic therapy. · Hematologic Toxicity: Serious and, in rare instances fatal, pancytopenia/ marrow hypoplasia, autoimmune idiopathic thrombocytopenia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia have occurred in patients receiving Campath therapy. Single doses of Campath greater than 30 mg or cumulative doses greater than 90 mg per week should not be administered because these doses are associated with a higher incidence of pancytopenia. · Infusion Reactions: Campath can result in serious infusion reactions. Patients should be carefully monitored during infusions and Campath discontinued if indicated. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.) Gradual escalation to the recommended maintenance dose is required at the initiation of therapy and after interruption of therapy for 7 or more days. · Infections, Opportunistic Infections: Serious, sometimes fatal bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoan infections have been reported in patients receiving Campath therapy. Prophylaxis directed against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and herpes virus infections has been shown to decrease, but not eliminate, the occurrence of these infections.
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Campath® (ALEMTUZUMAB)
DESCRIPTION
Campath® (Alemtuzumab) is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized monoclonal antibody (Campath-1H) that is directed against the 21-28 kD cell surface glycoprotein, CD52. CD52 is expressed on the surface of normal and malignant B and T lymphocytes, NK cells, monocytes, macrophages, and tissues of the male reproductive system. The Campath-1H antibody is an IgG1 kappa with human variable framework and constant regions, and complementarity-determining regions from a murine (rat) monoclonal antibody (Campath-1G). The Campath-1H antibody has an approximate molecular weight of 150 kD.
Campath is produced in mammalian cell (Chinese hamster ovary) suspension culture in a medium containing neomycin. Neomycin is not detectable in the final product. Campath is a sterile, clear, colorless, isotonic pH 6.8-7.4 solution for injection. Each single use ampoule of Campath contains 30 mg Alemtuzumab, 24.0 mg sodium chloride, 3.5 mg dibasic sodium phosphate, 0.6 mg potassium chloride, 0.6 mg monobasic potassium phosphate, 0.3 mg polysorbate 80, and 0.056 mg disodium edetate. No preservatives are added.
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CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
General:
Alemtuzumab binds to CD52, a non-modulating antigen that is present on the surface of essentially all B and T lymphocytes, a majority of monocytes, macrophages, and NK cells, and a subpopulation of granulocytes. Analysis of samples collected from multiple volunteers has not identified CD52 expression on erythrocytes or hematopoetic stem cells. The proposed mechanism of action is antibody-dependent lysis of leukemic cells following cell surface binding. Campath-1H Fab binding was observed in lymphoid tissues and the mononuclear phagocyte system. A proportion of bone marrow cells, including some CD34+ cells, express variable levels of CD52. Significant binding was also observed in the skin and male reproductive tract (epididymis, sperm, seminal vesicle). Mature spermatozoa stain for CD52, but neither spermatogenic cells nor immature spermatozoa show evidence of staining.
Human Pharmacokinetics:
The pharmacokinetic profile of Alemtuzumab was studied in a multicenter rising-dose trial in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Campath was administered once weekly for a maximum of 12 weeks. Following intravenous infusions over a range of doses, the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and the area under the curve (AUC) showed relative dose proportionality. The overall average half-life (t1/2) over the dosing interval was about 12 days. The pharmacokinetic profile of Campath administered as a 30 mg intravenous infusion three times per week was evaluated in CLL patients. Peak and trough levels of Campath rose during the first few weeks of treatment, and appeared to approach steady state by approximately week 6, although there was marked inter-patient variability. The rise in serum Campath concentration corresponded with the reduction in malignant lymphocytosis.
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CLINICAL STUDIES
The safety and efficacy of Campath were evaluated in a multicenter, open-label, noncomparative study (Study 1) of 93 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) who had been previously treated with alkylating agents and had failed treatment with fludarabine. Fludarabine failure was defined as lack of an objective partial (PR) or complete (CR) response to at least one fludarabine-containing regimen, progressive disease (PD) while on fludarabine treatment, or relapse within 6 months of the last dose of fludarabine. Patients were gradually escalated to a maintenance dose of Campath 30 mg intravenously three times per week for 4 to 12 weeks. Patients received premedication prior to infusion and anti-Pneumocystis carinii and anti-herpes prophylaxis while on treatment and for at least 2 months after the last dose of Campath.
Two supportive, multicenter, open-label, noncomparative studies of Campath enrolled a total of 56 patients with B-CLL (Studies 2 and 3). These patients had been previously treated with fludarabine or other chemotherapies. In Studies 2 and 3, the maintenance dose of Campath was 30 mg three times per week with treatment cycles of 8 and 6 weeks respectively. A slightly different dose escalation scheme was used in these trials. Premedication to ameliorate infusional reactions and anti-Pneumocystis carinii and anti-herpes prophylaxis were optional.
Objective tumor response rates and duration of response were determined using the NCI Working Group Response Criteria (1996). A comparison of patient characteristics and the results for each of these studies is summarized in Table 1. Time to event parameters, except for duration of response, are calculated from initiation of Campath therapy. Duration of response is calculated from the onset of the response.
Table 1: Summary of Patient Population and Outcomes
  Study 1 (N=93) Study 2 (N=32) Study 3 (N=24)
Median Age in Years (Range) 66 (32 - 68) 57 (46 - 75) 62 (44-77)
Median Number of Prior Regimens (Range) 3 (2 - 7) 3 (1 - 10) 3 (1 - 8)
Prior Therapies:         Alkylating Agents         Fludarabine 100% 100% 100% 34% 92% 100%
Disease Characteristics:         Rai Stage III/IV Disease         B-Symptoms 76% 42% 72% 31% 71% 21%
Overall Response Rate (95% Confidence Interval)         Complete Response         Partial Response 33% (23%, 43%) 2% 31% 21% (8%, 33%) 0% 21% 29% (11%, 47%) 0% 29%
Median Duration of Response (months) (95% Confidence Interval) 7 (5, 8) 7 (5, 23) 11 (6, 19)
Median Time to Response (months) (95% Confidence Interval) 2 (1, 2) 4 (1, 5) 4 (2, 4)
Progression-Free Survival (months) (95% Confidence Interval) 4 (3, 5) 5 (3, 7) 7 (3, 9)
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INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Campath is indicated for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) in patients who have been treated with alkylating agents and who have failed fludarabine therapy. Determination of the effectiveness of Campath is based on overall response rates. (See CLINICAL STUDIES.) Comparative, randomized trials demonstrating increased survival or clinical benefits such as improvement in disease-related symptoms have not yet been conducted.
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CONTRAINDICATIONS
Campath is contraindicated in patients who have active systemic infections, underlying immunodeficiency (e.g., seropositive for HIV), or known Type I hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reactions to Campath or to any one of its components.
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WARNINGS (See BOXED WARNING.)
Infusion-Related Events:
Campath has been associated with infusion-related events including hypotension, rigors, fever, shortness of breath, bronchospasm, chills, and/or rash. In order to ameliorate or avoid infusion-related events, patients should be premedicated with an oral antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to dosing and monitored closely for infusion-related adverse events. In addition, Campath should be initiated at a low dose with gradual escalation to the effective dose. Careful monitoring of blood pressure and hypotensive symptoms is recommended especially in patients with ischemic heart disease and in patients on antihypertensive medications. If therapy is interrupted for 7 or more days, Campath should be reinstituted with gradual dose escalation. (See ADVERSE EVENTS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.)
Immunosuppression/Opportunistic Infections:
Campath induces profound lymphopenia. A variety of opportunistic infections have been reported in patients receiving Campath therapy (see ADVERSE EVENTS, Infections). If a serious infection occurs, Campath therapy should be interrupted and may be reinitiated following the resolution of the infection.
Anti-infective prophylaxis is recommended upon initiation of therapy and for a minimum of 2 months following the last dose of Campath or until CD4+ counts are ³ 200 cells/mL. The median time to recovery of CD4+ counts to ³ 200/mL was 2 months, however, full recovery (to baseline) of CD4+ and CD8+ counts may take more than 12 months. (See BOXED WARNING and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.
Because of the potential for Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) in severely lymphopenic patients, irradiation of any blood products administered prior to recovery from lymphopenia is recommended.
Hematologic Toxicity:
Severe, prolonged, and in rare instances fatal, myelosuppression has occurred in patients with leukemia and lymphoma receiving Campath. Bone marrow aplasia and hypoplasia were observed in the clinical studies at the recommended dose. The incidence of these complications increased with doses above the recommended dose. In addition, severe and fatal autoimmune anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in patients with CLL. Campath should be discontinued for severe hematologic toxicity (see Table 3 Dose Modification and Reinitiation of Therapy for Hematologic Toxicity) or in any patient with evidence of autoimmune hematologic toxicity. Following resolution of transient, non-immune myelosuppression, Campath may be reinitiated with caution. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.) There is no information on the safety of resumption of Campath in patients with autoimmune cytopenias or marrow aplasia. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS.)
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PRECAUTIONS
Laboratory Monitoring:
Complete blood counts (CBC) and platelet counts should be obtained at weekly intervals during Campath therapy and more frequently if worsening anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia is observed on therapy. CD4+ counts should be assessed after treatment until recovery to ³ 200 cells/mL. (See WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)
Drug/Laboratory Interactions:
No formal drug interaction studies have been performed with Campath. An immune response to Campath may interfere with subsequent diagnostic serum tests that utilize antibodies.
Immunization:
Patients who have recently received Campath, should not be immunized with live viral vaccines, due to their immunosuppression. The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines following Campath therapy has not been studied. The ability to generate a primary or anamnestic humoral response to any vaccine following Campath therapy has not been studied.
Immunogenicity:
Four (1.9%) of 211 patients evaluated for development of an immune response were found to have antibodies to Campath. The data reflect the percentage of patients whose test results were considered positive for antibody to Campath in a kinetic enzyme immunoassay, and are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. The observed incidence of antibody positivity may be influenced by several additional factors including sample handling, concomitant medications and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to Campath with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. Patients who develop hypersensitivity to Campath may have allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to other monoclonal antibodies.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility:
No long-term studies in animals have been performed to establish the carcinogenic or mutagenic potential of Campath, or to determine its effects on fertility in males or females. Women of childbearing potential and men of reproductive potential should use effective contraceptive methods during treatment and for a minimum of 6 months following Campath therapy.
Pregnancy Category C:
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Campath. It is not known whether Campath can affect reproductive capacity or cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. However, human IgG is known to cross the placental barrier and therefore Campath may cross the placental barrier and cause fetal B and T lymphocyte depletion. Campath should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers:
Excretion of Campath in human breast milk has not been studied. Because many drugs including human IgG are excreted in human milk, breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment and for at least 3 months following the last dose of Campath.
Pediatric Use:
The safety and effectiveness of Campath in children have not been established.
Geriatric Use:
Of the 149 patients with B-CLL enrolled in the three clinical studies, 66 (44%) were 65 and over, while 15 (10%) were 75 and over. Substantial differences in safety and efficacy related to age were not observed; however the size of the database is not sufficient to exclude important differences.
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ADVERSE REACTIONS
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reaction information from clinical trials does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that appear to be related to drug use and for approximating rates.
Safety data, except where indicated, are based on 149 patients with B-CLL enrolled in studies of Campath as a single agent administered at a maintenance dose of 30 mg intravenously three times weekly for 4 to 12 weeks. Table 2 lists adverse events including severe or life threatening (NCI-CTC Grade 3 or 4) adverse events reported in > 5% of the patients. More detailed information and follow-up were available for Study 1 (93 patients), therefore the narrative description of certain events, noted below, is based on this study.
Infusion-Related Adverse Events:
Infusion-related adverse events resulted in discontinuation of Campath therapy in 6% of the patients enrolled in Study 1. The most commonly reported infusion-related adverse events on this study included rigors in 89% of patients, drug-related fever in 83%, nausea in 47%, vomiting in 33%, and hypotension in 15%. Other frequently reported infusion-related events include, rash in 30% of patients, fatigue in 22%, urticaria in 22%, dyspnea in 17%, pruritus in 14%, headache in 13%, and diarrhea in 13%. Similar types of adverse events were reported on the supporting studies (see Table 2). Acute infusion-related events were most common during the first week of therapy. Antihistamines, acetaminophen, antiemetics, meperidine, and corticosteroids as well as incremental dose escalation were used to prevent or ameliorate infusion-related events. (See WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.)
Infections:
On Study 1, all patients were required to receive anti-herpes and anti-PCP prophylaxis (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION) and were followed for infections for 6 months. Forty (43%) of 93 patients experienced 59 infections (one or more infections per patient) related to Campath during treatment or within 6 months of the last dose. Of these, 34 (37%) patients experienced 42 infections that were of Grade 3 or 4 severity; 11 (18%) were fatal. Fifty-five percent of the Grade 3 or 4 infections occurred during treatment or within 30 days of last dose. In addition one or more episodes of febrile neutropenia (ANC £ 500 cells/mL were reported in 10% of patients.
The following types of infections were reported in Study 1: Grade 3 or 4 sepsis in 12% of patients with one fatality, Grade 3 or 4 pneumonia in 15% with five fatalities, and opportunistic infections in 17% with four fatalities. Candida infections were reported in 5% of patients; CMV infections in 8% (4% of Grade 3 or 4 severity); Aspergillosis in 2% with fatal Aspergillosis in 1%; fatal Mucormycosis in 2%; fatal Cryptococcal pneumonia in 1%; Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in 1%; disseminated Herpes zoster in 1%; Grade 3 Herpes simplex in 2%; and Torulopsis pneumonia in 1%. PCP pneumonia occurred in one (1%) patient who discontinued PCP prophylaxis.
On Studies 2 and 3 in which anti-herpes and anti-PCP prophylaxis was optional, 37 (66%) patients had 47 infections while or after receiving Campath therapy. In addition to the opportunistic infections reported above, the following types of related events were observed on these studies: interstitial pneumonitis of unknown etiology and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Hematologic Adverse Events:
Pancytopenia/Marrow Hypoplasia: Campath therapy was permanently discontinued in six (6%) patients due to pancytopenia/marrow hypoplasia. Two (2%) cases of pancytopenia/ marrow hypoplasia were fatal.
Anemia: Forty-four (47%) patients had one or more episodes of new onset NCI-CTC Grade 3 or 4 anemia. Sixty-two (67%) patients required RBC transfusions. In addition, erythropoietin use was reported in nineteen (20%) patients. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia secondary to Campath therapy was reported in 1% of patients. Positive Coombs test without hemolysis was reported in 2%. (See BOXED WARNING.)
Neutropenia: Sixty-five (70%) patients had one or more episodes of NCI-CTC Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Median duration of Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 28 days (range: 2 – 165 days). (See Infections.)
Thrombocytopenia: Forty-eight (52%) patients had one or more episodes of new onset Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Median duration of thrombocytopenia was 21 days (range: 2 – 165 days). Thirty-five (38%) patients required platelet transfusions for management of thrombocytopenia. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia was reported in 2% of patients with one fatal case of Campath-related autoimmune thrombocytopenia. (See BOXED WARNING.)
Lymphopenia: The median CD4+ count at 4 weeks after initiation of Campath therapy was 2 (two)/mL, at 2 months after discontinuation of Campath therapy, 207/mL, and 6 months after discontinuation, 470/mL. The pattern of change in median CD8+ lymphocyte counts was similar to that of CD4+ cells. In some patients treated with Campath, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts had not returned to baseline levels at longer than 1 year post therapy.
Table 2: Adverse Events in > 5% of the B-CLL Study PopulationDuring Treatment or Within 30 Days (N = 149)
Adverse Event: B-CLL STUDIES(N = 149)
ANY Grade(%) Grade 3 or 4(%)
Body As A Whole   
        Rigors 86 16
        Fever 85 19
        Fatigue 34 5
        Pain, Skeletal Pain 24 2
        Anorexia 20 3
        Asthenia 13 4
        Edema, Peripheral Edema 13 1
        Back Pain 10 3
        Chest Pain 10 1
        Malaise 9 1
        Temperature Change Sensation 5 --
Cardiovascular Disorders, General   
        Hypotension 32 5
        Hypertension 11 2
Heart Rate & Rhythm Disorders   
        Tachycardia, SVT 11 3
Central & Peripheral Nervous System Disorders   
        Headache 24 1
        Dysthesias 15 --
        Dizziness 12 1
        Tremor 7 --
Gastrointestinal Disorders   
        Nausea 54 2
        Vomiting 41 4
        Diarrhea 22 1
        Stomatitis, Ulcerative Stomatitis, Mucositis 14 1
        Abdominal Pain 11 2
        Dyspepsia 10 --
        Constipation 9 1
Hematologic Disorders   
        WBC Disorders: Neutropenia 85 64
        RBC Disorders: Anemia 80 38
Pancytopenia 5 3
Platelet, Bleeding & Clotting Disorders:   
        Thrombocytopenia 72 50
        Purpura 8 --
        Epistaxis 7 1
Musculoskeletal Disorders   
        Myalgias 11 --
Psychiatric Disorders   
        Insomnia 10 --
        Depression 7 1
        Somnolence 5 1
Resistance Mechanism Disorders   
        Sepsis 15 10
        Herpes Simplex 11 1
        Moniliasis 8 1
        Infection (other viral or unidentified) 7 1
Respiratory System Disorders    
        Dyspnea 26 9
        Cough 25 2
        Bronchitis, Pneumonitis 21 13
        Pneumonia 16 10
        Pharyngitis 12 --
        Bronchospasm 9 2
        Rhinitis 7 --
Skin & Appendage Disorders    
        Rash, Maculopapular Rash, Erythematous Rash 40 3
        Urticaria 30 5
        Pruritus 24 1
        Sweating increased 19 1
Serious adverse events:
The following serious adverse events, defined as events which result in death, requiring or prolonging hospitalization, requiring medical intervention to prevent hospitalization, or malignancy, were reported in at least one patient treated on studies where Campath was used as a single agent (and are not reported in Table 2). These studies were conducted in patients with lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma (N = 745) and in patients with non-malignant diseases (N =152) such as rheumatoid arthritis, solid organ transplant, or multiple sclerosis.
Body As A Whole: allergic reactions, anaphylactoid reaction, ascites, hypovolemia, influenza-like syndrome, mouth edema, neutropenic fever, syncope
Cardiovascular Disorders: cardiac failure, cyanosis, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, angina pectoris, coronary artery disorder, myocardial infarction, pericarditis
Central and Peripheral Nervous System Disorders: abnormal gait, aphasia, coma, grand mal convulsions, paralysis, meningitis
Endocrine Disorders: hyperthyroidism
Gastrointestinal System Disorders: duodenal ulcer, esophagitis, gingivitis, gastroenteritis, GI hemorrhage, hematemesis, hemorrhoids, intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, melena, paralytic ileus, peptic ulcer, pseudomembranous colitis, colitis, pancreatitis, peritonitis, hyperbilirubinemia, hepatic failure, hepatocellular damage, hypoalbuminemia, biliary pain
Hearing and Vestibular Disorders: decreased hearing
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: acidosis, aggravated diabetes mellitus, dehydration, fluid overload, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, increased alkaline phosphatase, respiratory alkalosis
Musculoskeletal System Disorders: arthritis or worsening arthritis, arthropathy, bone fracture, myositis, muscle atrophy, muscle weakness, osteomyelitis, polymyositis
Neoplasms: malignant lymphoma, malignant testicular neoplasm, prostatic cancer, plasma cell dyscrasia, secondary leukemia, squamous cell carcinoma, transformation to aggressive lymphoma, transformation to prolymphocytic leukemia
Platelet, Bleeding, and Clotting Disorders: coagulation disorder, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hematoma, pulmonary embolism, thrombocythemia
Psychiatric Disorders: confusion, hallucinations, nervousness, abnormal thinking, apathy
White Cell and RES Disorders: agranulocytosis, aplasia, decreased haptoglobin, lymphadenopathy, marrow depression
Red Blood Cell Disorders: hemolysis, hemolytic anemia, splenic infarction, splenomegaly
Reproductive System Disorders: cervical dysplasia
Resistance Mechanism Disorders: abscess, bacterial infection, Herpes zoster infection, Pneumocystis carinii infection, otitis media, Tuberculosis infection, viral infection
Respiratory System Disorders: asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hemoptysis, hypoxia, pleural effusion, pleurisy, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary infiltration, respiratory depression, respiratory insufficiency, sinusitis, stridor, throat tightness
Skin and Appendages Disorders: angioedema, bullous eruption, cellulitis, purpuric rash
Special Senses Disorders: taste loss
Urinary System Disorders: abnormal renal function, acute renal failure, anuria, facial edema, hematuria, toxic nephropathy, ureteric obstruction, urinary retention, urinary tract infection
Vascular (Extracardiac) Disorders: cerebral hemorrhage, ce, r, ebrovascular disorder, deep vein thrombosis, increased capillary fragility, intracranial hemorrhage, phlebitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, thrombophlebitis
Vision Disorders: endophthalmitis
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OVERDOSAGE
Initial doses of Campath of greater than 3 mg are not well-tolerated. One patient who received 80 mg as an initial dose by IV infusion experienced acute bronchospasm, cough, and shortness of breath, followed by anuria and death. A review of the case suggested that tumor lysis syndrome may have played a role.
Single doses of Campath greater than 30 mg or a cumulative weekly dose greater than 90 mg should not be administered as higher doses have been associated with a higher incidence of pancytopenia. (See BOXED WARNING and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.)
There is no known specific antidote for Campath overdosage. Treatment consists of drug discontinuation and supportive therapy.
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DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Campath should be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic therapy.
Dosing Schedule and Administration:
Campath therapy should be initiated at a dose of 3 mg administered as a 2 hour IV infusion daily. (See ADVERSE EVENTS.) When the Campath 3 mg daily dose is tolerated (e.g., infusion-related toxicities are £ Grade 2), the daily dose should be escalated to 10 mg and continued until tolerated. When the 10 mg dose is tolerated, the maintenance dose of Campath 30 mg may be initiated. The maintenance dose of Campath is 30 mg/day administered three times per week on alternate days (i.e., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for up to 12 weeks. In most patients, escalation to 30 mg can be accomplished in 3 - 7 days. Dose escalation to the recommended maintenance dose of 30 mg administered three times per week is required. Single doses of Campath greater than 30 mg or cumulative weekly doses of greater than 90 mg should not be administered since higher doses are associated with an increased incidence of pancytopenia. (See BOXED WARNING.) Campath should be administered intravenously only. The infusion should be administered over a 2 hour period. DO NOT ADMINISTER AS AN INTRAVENOUS PUSH OR BOLUS.
Recommended Concomitant Medications:
Premedication should be given prior to the first dose, at dose escalations, and as clinically indicated. The premedication used in clinical studies was diphenhydramine 50 mg and acetaminophen 650 mg administered 30 minutes prior to Campath infusion. In cases where severe infusion-related events occur, treatment with hydrocortisone 200 mg was used in decreasing the infusion-related events.
Patients should receive anti-infective prophylaxis to minimize the risks of serious opportunistic infections. (See BOXED WARNING.) The anti-infective regimen used on Study 1 consisted of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole DS twice daily (BID) three times per week and famciclovir or equivalent 250 mg twice a day (BID) upon initiation of Campath therapy. Prophylaxis should be continued for 2 months after completion of Campath therapy or until the CD4+ count is ³ 200 cells/mL, whichever occurs later.
Dose Modification and Reinitiation of Therapy:
Campath therapy should be discontinued during serious infection, serious hematologic toxicity, or other serious toxicity until the event resolves. (See WARNINGS.) Campath therapy should be permanently discontinued if evidence of autoimmune anemia or thrombocytopenia appears. Table 3 includes recommendations for dose modification for severe neutropenia or thrombocytopenia.
Table 3: Dose Modification and Reinitiation of Therapy for Hematologic Toxicity
Hematologic Toxicity Dose Modification and Reinitiation of Therapy
For first occurrence of ANC < 250/mL and/or platelet count £ 25,000/mL Withhold Campath therapy. When ANC ³ 500/mL and platelet count ³ 50,000/mL, resume Campath therapy at same dose. If delay between dosing is ³ 7 days, initiate therapy at Campath 3 mg and escalate to 10 mg and then to 30 mg as tolerated.
For second occurrence of ANC < 250/mL and/or platelet count £ 25,000/mL Withhold Campath therapy. When ANC ³ 500/mL and platelet count ³ 50,000/mL, resume Campath therapy at 10 mg. If delay between dosing is ³ 7 days, initiate therapy at Campath 3 mg and escalate to 10 mg only.
For third occurrence of ANC < 250/mL and/or platelet count £ 25,000/mL Discontinue Campath therapy permanently.
For a decrease of ANC and/or platelet count to £ 50% of the baseline value in patients initiating therapy with a baseline ANC £ 500/mL and/or a baseline platelet count £ 25,000/mL Withhold Campath therapy. When ANC and/or platelet count return to baseline value(s), resume Campath therapy. If the delay between dosing ³ 7 days, initiate therapy at Campath 3 mg and escalate to 10 mg and then to 30 mg as tolerated.
Preparation for Administration:
Parenteral drug products should be inspected for visible particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. If particulate matter is present or the solution is discolored, the vial should not be used. DO NOT SHAKE AMPOULE PRIOR TO USE. As with all parenteral drug products, aseptic technique should be used during the preparation and administration of Campath. Withdraw the necessary amount of Campath from the ampoule into a syringe. Filter with a sterile, low-protein binding, non-fiber releasing 5 mm filter prior to dilution.
Inject into 100 mL sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride USP or 5% Dextrose in Water USP. Gently invert the bag to mix the solution. Discard syringe and any unused drug product.
Campath contains no antimicrobial preservative. Campath should be used within 8 hours after dilution. Campath solutions may be stored at room temperature (15-30°C) or refrigerated. Campath solutions should be protected from light.
Incompatibilities:
No incompatibilities between Campath and polyvinylchloride (PVC) bags, PVC or polyethylene-lined PVC administration sets, or low-protein binding filters have been observed. No data are available concerning the incompatibility of Campath with other drug substances. Other drug substances should not be added or simultaneously infused through the same intravenous line.
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HOW SUPPLIED
Campath (Alemtuzumab) is supplied in single-use clear glass ampoules containing 30 mg of Alemtuzumab in 3 mL of solution. Each box contains either three Campath ampoules (NDC 50419-355-10) or 12 Campath ampoules (NDC 50419-355-12).
Campath should be stored at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Do not freeze. DISCARD IF AMPOULE HAS BEEN FROZEN. Protect from direct sunlight.
Rx only.
U.S. Patents: 5,545,403; 5,545,405; 5,654,403; 5,846,534
Other patents pending
Manufactured by: Millennium and ILEX Partners, LP Cambridge, MA 02142
Distributed by: Berlex Laboratories, Richmond, CA 94804
Issued: May 2001
Last Updated: 8/30/2001
 Date created: September 26, 2003