Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD52, a surface antigen expressed in high levels by B-cell CHRONIC lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and T-prolymphocytic leukemia cells. Alemtuzumab has been shown to destroy target cells through antibodydependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-mediated cytolysis, and induction of apoptosis.

CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts reach their nadir approximately 4 weeks after initiation of alemtuzumab. High rates of standard and OPPORTUNISTIC infections, such as PCP, invasive aspergillosis, candidiasis, disseminated varicella-zoster virus, mycobacterial infection, and CMV, and extremely delayed recovery of functional immune STATUS, have been reported with alemtuzumab use in salvage therapy of refractory or RELAPSED CLL.

Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD52, a surface antigen expressed in high levels by B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and T-prolymphocytic leukemia cells. Alemtuzumab has been shown to destroy target cells through antibodydependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-mediated cytolysis, and induction of apoptosis.

CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts reach their nadir approximately 4 weeks after initiation of alemtuzumab. High rates of standard and opportunistic infections, such as PCP, invasive aspergillosis, candidiasis, disseminated varicella-zoster virus, mycobacterial infection, and CMV, and extremely delayed recovery of functional immune status, have been reported with alemtuzumab use in salvage therapy of refractory or relapsed CLL.