How it Works
Elotuzumab is an immunotherapy medicine that works with your immune system to fight multiple myeloma.
Elotuzumab works in the following ways:
- It activates an essential type of white blood cell in your immune system, called a natural killer (NK) cell
- It identifies myeloma cells, so they are more easily recognized by NK cells so the activated NK cells can find myeloma cells to destroy
How it’s Administered
Elotuzumab is given as a slow IV infusion. You will receive multiple pre-medications before the start of the elotuzumab infusion. Elotuzumab is usually given as eight weekly infusions, followed by an infusion every two weeks. By itself, elotuzumab has no documented anti-myeloma activity and is always used in combination with other standard of care myeloma treatments. You would also be taking oral medications, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone as prescribed.
The amount of elotuzumab that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition you have. Your doctor will determine your exact dosage and schedule.
Each 28-day period is one treatment cycle.
Who Should Take Elotuzumab
Elotuzumab is used in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for patients with multiple myeloma who have received 1 to 3 prior therapies. It has not proven to be effective when used alone to kill multiple myeloma.
Who Shouldn’t Take Elotuzumab
- No known contraindications
The Most Common Side Effects of Taking Elotuzumab Include:
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dizziness
- Itching
- Chills
- Fever
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Flu-like symptoms
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Painful skin rash
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain or swelling
- Tiredness
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stools
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Cough with mucus
- Chest pain
Commonly Used With
- Lenalidomide or pomalidomide, and dexamethasone
Currently Being Tested With
- Antibody-Drug Conjugate: belantamab mafodotin
- Selective inhibitor of nuclear export: selinexor
- Proteasome Inhibitors: carfilzomib,bortezomib
- Immunomodulators (IMiDs): lenalidomide
Learn more about your treatments in Cure Hub
For more information, go to www.empliciti.com
Date last updated: 6/14/22
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