Expert review of anticancer therapy
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Expert Rev Anticancer Ther · Dec 2002
ReviewGemtuzumab ozogamicin: promise and challenge in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
CD33 is a suitable target to guide delivery of a toxic moiety to most acute myeloid leukemia cells. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) is a humanized antiCD33 monoclonal antibody covalently linked to a derivative of a cytotoxic antibiotic, calicheamicin. As a single agent, gemtuzumab ozogamicin has activity (complete remission rate of 15-20%) in patients with relapsed disease. ⋯ Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is approved as single-agent therapy for patients over the age of 60 years in first relapse who are not considered candidates for cytotoxic therapy. The administration of gemtuzumab ozogamicin should be carried out under a level of supervision commensurate with that afforded other intensely myelosuppressive agents. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin-based combinations should not be prescribed outside the research setting until further data is available.
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Expert Rev Anticancer Ther · Aug 2002
ReviewEvolving role of ribonucleoside reductase inhibitors in hematologic malignancies.
Ribonucleotide reductases catalyze the de novo biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleosides for DNA synthesis. Increased ribonucleotide reductases activity has been associated with malignant transformation and tumor cell growth. ⋯ This review focuses on the therapeutic use of ribonucleotide reductases inhibitors in hematologic malignancies. Hydroxyurea, fludarabine and cladribine have established roles in the management of hematologic malignancies, while other ribonucleotide reductases inhibitors, such as gemcitabine, tezacitabine and heterocyclic carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones (e.g., triapine) are being evaluated in clinical trials.
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Expert Rev Anticancer Ther · Feb 2002
ReviewCAMPATH (alemtuzumab) for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and beyond.
CAMPATH (CAMPATH-1H, alemtuzumab, MabCAMPATH), is a lymphocyte-depleting humanized monoclonal antibody that was recently approved in the USA and Europe for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It targets CD52--a small glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein that is highly expressed on normal T- and B-lymphocytes and on a large proportion of lymphoid cell malignancies--but not on hematopoietic progenitor cells. ⋯ CAMPATH is also active against T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia and has been extensively used to prevent graft-versus-host disease associated with bone marrow transplantation. CAMPATH is owned by ILEX Pharmaceuticals LP and distributed by Schering AG and its US affiliate Berlex Laboratories.
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Expert Rev Anticancer Ther · Aug 2001
ReviewRituximab: review and clinical applications focusing on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Rituximab (Rituxan) was the first monoclonal antibody approved for cancer therapy and the first single-agent approved for therapy of lymphoma. When combined with CHOP, rituximab is the only drug that has been shown to improve survival of a subpopulation of patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma during the last three decades. ⋯ Furthermore, it is currently being evaluated in several nonmalignant diseases, such as autoimmune disorders. This review will focus on the role of rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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Temozolomide is an imidazotetrazine with a mechanism of action and efficacy similar to dacarbazine (DTIC). However, it differs from DTIC in that it can be taken orally, degrades spontaneously to an active metabolite and penetrates the blood-brain barrier. ⋯ Investigations into other indications, in particular solid tumors with central nervous system metastases, are ongoing. Studies of new drug schedules and of drugs to ameliorate temozolomide resistance offer the prospect of increased efficacy.