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Spectrum of infection, risk and recommendations for prophylaxis and screening among patients with lymphoproliferative disorders treated with alemtuzumab *
Author(s) -
Thursky Karin A.,
Worth Leon J.,
Seymour John F.,
Miles Prince H.,
Slavin Monica A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05789.x
Subject(s) - alemtuzumab , medicine , cd52 , lymphoproliferative disorders , immunology , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , hematology , monoclonal antibody , lymphoma , antibody , leukemia
Summary There is an increasing use of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of haematological malignancies. Alemtuzumab (Campath‐1H; Ilex Pharmaceuticals, San Antonio, TX, USA) is a monoclonal antibody reactive with the CD52 antigen used as first and second line therapy for two types of lymphoproliferative disorders: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and T‐cell lymphomas [both peripheral (PTCL) and cutaneous (CTCL)]. With alemtuzumab therapy, viral, bacterial and fungal infectious complications are frequent, and may be life threatening. An understanding of the patients at highest risk and duration of risk are important in developing recommendations for empirical management, antimicrobial prophylaxis and targeted surveillance. This review discusses the infection risks associated with these lymphoproliferative disorders and their treatment, and provide detailed recommendations for screening and prophylaxis.