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

elotuzumab

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