alemtuzumab

Alemtuzumab is a humanized IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody that targets the cell surface glycoprotein CD52, which is present on T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, monocytes, and macrophages. It is used primarily for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‑CLL) and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The drug works by binding to CD52 on lymphocytes and inducing antibody-dependent cellular cytolysis and complement-mediated lysis. This results in rapid depletion of circulating T and B cells followed by gradual repopulation with altered immune cell subsets. Alemtuzumab was developed from the original rat-derived Campath antibodies at Cambridge University; it was later humanized to reduce immunogenicity. It is marketed as Lemtrada for MS and as Campath or MabCampath for B‑CLL[1][2][10].

Brand names

CampathLemtradaMabCampath

Other names

Monoclonal Antibody Campath-1HImmunoglobulin G 1 (human-rat monoclonal CAMPATH-1H gamma1-chain anti-human antigen CD52), disulfide with human-rat monoclonal CAMPATH-1H light chain, dimer