Role of ofatumumab in treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has dramatically improved in the past decade with the addition of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies to the treatment armamentarium. Ofatumumab is a novel anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody recently approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of CLL refractory to alemtuzumab and fludarabine. Preclinical data showed improved complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity compared with rituximab. Clinical studies have shown single-agent activity for ofatumumab in CLL and in other low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Combination studies are being conducted to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of ofatumumab. This paper reviews some of the key clinical studies that led to approval of ofatumumab, and future directions.