Safety and efficacy of of atumumab in patients with fludarabine and alemtuzumab refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

There are now many therapeutic CD20 monoclonal antibodies undergoing clinical trials for B-cell malignancy and autoimmune conditions; which is optimal for cancer therapy is not clear. The novel human IgG1 CD20 monoclonal antibody ofatumumab has shown significant activity in difficult to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, namely those resistant or refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab and has now been licensed for this uncommon indication. This brief review summarizes the clinical data obtained with ofatumumab in CLL in terms of both efficacy and toxicity.