Abstract
Alemtuzumab, formally known as Campath-1H, is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD52, a protein on the surface of lymphocytes and monocytes with unknown function. A single dose of alemtuzumab leads to a rapid, profound and prolonged lymphopenia. A Phase II trial has shown that alemtuzumab reduces the risk of relapse and accumulation of disability by over 70% compared with interferon beta in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Alemtuzumab has been used in Cambridge as an experimental treatment for MS since 1991. In this review we summarize our experience; describing how this prototypical, "bench-to-bedside" therapy continues to inform basic science, revealing aspects of the pathogenesis of MS and lymphopeniaassociated autoimmunity.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Alemtuzumab
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antibodies, Neoplasm / adverse effects
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Antibodies, Neoplasm / therapeutic use*
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Cohort Studies
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Disability Evaluation
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
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Interferon beta-1a
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Interferon-beta / adverse effects
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Interferon-beta / therapeutic use
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Lymphopenia / chemically induced
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Multicenter Studies as Topic
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Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / drug therapy*
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
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Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antibodies, Neoplasm
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Alemtuzumab
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Interferon-beta
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Interferon beta-1a