How it Works
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is a recombinant humanized IgG4 kappa antibody. An antibody is a protein, which is a natural part of the immune system that helps fight off infections and diseases. The antibody in gemtuzumab ozogamicin has been "humanized" and modified in a laboratory to make it more effective against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin works by attaching to a protein called CD33, which is found on the surface of many AML cells. Once the drug is attached to the AML cell, it releases a chemical called calicheamicin, which can kill the cancer cell. Calicheamicin is a type of antibiotic that is made from a type of bacteria called Micromonospora echinospora ssp. calichensis.
How it’s Administered
- Is given as an intravenous infusion (through a vein); dosage depends on the regimen and the weight of the patient.
Who Should Take Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin
- Newly diagnosed CD33-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults and pediatric patients 1 month and older
- Adults and children who are 2 years old or older, and who have CD33-positive AML that has come back (relapsed) or has not responded to other treatments (refractory).
Who Shouldn’t Take Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin
- Pregnant women. It is important to inform your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant before starting treatment, as it may cause harm to the fetus.
- Breastfeeding women should suspend breastfeeding if they start taking this medication.
- Patients with blood disorders or a low platelet count may not be able to have this treatment
- Patients with a history of liver or kidney problems may not be eligible for this therapy.
- Patients diagnosed with Long QT syndrome (LQTS). A rare inherited heart rhythm disorder that can cause potentially life-threatening irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias.
- People who are allergic to the medication or any of its components
The Most Common Side Effects of Taking Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Include:
- Decreased blood cell counts: Your levels of platelets, white and red blood cells may temporarily drop. Which may cause, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, increased risk of infections, bleeding or bruising.
- Fever, infection, increased liver enzymes, bleeding
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation, mucositis
- QT interval prolongation electrocardiogram
- Warning: liver toxicity, including severe or fatal liver veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), has been reported in association with the use of Gemtuzumab ozogamicin as a single agent, and as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
Commonly Used in Acute Myeloid Leukemia With
- Daunorubicin and cytarabine for the treatment of AML in adults.
- It may be used as a stand-alone treatment for certain adult and pediatric patients.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE AVAILABLE CLINICAL TRIALS FOR AML
For more information click here
Date last updated: 12/22/22
![newsletter icon](https://static.healthtree.org/icons/newsletter-icon.png)
Get the latest thought leadership on your Acute Myeloid Leukemia delivered straight to your inbox
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for news, stories, clinical trial updates, and helpful resources and events with cancer experts.
Thanks to our HealthTree Community for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Sponsors:
![Abbvie](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/healthtree-production.appspot.com/o/gallery%2Fpublic%2Fabbvie%20bigger_c5e4f4af-fb3c-45ca-b9f0-831fb4c5f968.jpeg?alt=media)
![Astellas Pharma](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/healthtree-production.appspot.com/o/university%2Fpublic%2Fshared%2Fastellas%20fo%20realz-100_8fd8c5cb-3421-4cfd-8aa6-07a70f67acf7.jpg?alt=media)
![Servier](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/healthtree-production.appspot.com/o/gallery%2Fpublic%2Fservier_6f4f6f05-7255-45f8-8f3d-a07651617cbe.png?alt=media)