Role of ofatumumab in treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

le of ofatumumab in treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia Review (4167) Total Article Views Authors: Veliz M, Pinilla-Ibarz J Published Date May 2011 Volume 2011:2 Pages 71 - 77 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S13063 Marays Veliz, Javier Pinilla-Ibarz H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA Abstract: The management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has dramatically improved in the past decade with the addition of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies to the treatment armamentarium. Ofatumumab is a novel anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody recently approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of CLL refractory to alemtuzumab and fludarabine. Preclinical data showed improved complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity compared with rituximab. Clinical studies have shown single-agent activity for ofatumumab in CLL and in other low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Combination studies are being conducted to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of ofatumumab. This paper reviews some of the key clinical studies that led to approval of ofatumumab, and future directions.