Campath vs. Lemtrada for Leukemia and Multiple Sclerosis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Campath

(alemtuzumab)

Lemtrada

(alemtuzumab)

Summary for Campath

Prescription only

Campath (alemtuzumab) is a prescription medication used to treat a type of blood cancer called B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). It’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional under close medical supervision due to the risk of serious side effects. Common side effects include low blood cell counts, nausea, diarrhea, and infections.

Indications for Campath

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL)

Pros and Cons for Campath

Pros

Targets cancer cells directly
Can work when other treatments don’t
Has been used for many years

Cons

Infused every day or three times a week
Risk of serious infections and infusion-related reactions
Only available through a special program

Common Side Effects for Campath

Low white blood cells (up to 97%)
Low red blood cells (76%)
Infection (74%)
Low platelet count (71%)
Fever (69%)
Viral infection (up to 55%)
Chills (53%)

Warnings for Campath

Low blood cell counts
Infusion reactions
Infections
Vaccines

Summary for Lemtrada

Prescription only

Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) is an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody. It's used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults, but only when other MS medications haven't worked well. Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) is given as an infusion through the veins once per year by a healthcare provider. Since this medication has many risks and side effects, it's only available through a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program) called the Lemtrada REMS program. Some common side effects of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) include rash, headache, and fever.

Indications for Lemtrada

Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults who haven't responded well enough to at least two other MS medications

Pros and Cons for Lemtrada

Pros

Works well to treat relapsing forms of MS
Treatment courses are short and are only once per year
Not many known interactions with other medications

Cons

A lot of potential risks and side effects, including serious allergic reaction, blood problems, and liver problems
Each treatment will take a least 6 hours at the clinic because of pre-treatment, infusion time, and monitoring time
Needs to be given as an IV injection by a healthcare professional