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Poteligeo

mogamulizumab-kpkc
Used for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Used for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Poteligeo (mogamulizumb or mogamulizumab-kpkc) is used to treat mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sézary syndrome (SS) that hasn’t gotten better from other treatment. It’s an intravenous infusion that you’ll receive at an infusion center or clinic. Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can commonly cause infusion reactions, rashes, or other skin problems; these side effects can sometimes be serious.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Belinda Li, PharmD, BCOP
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 21, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)?

What is Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) used for?

How Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) works

Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) is a monoclonal antibody. It targets and attaches to a protein called CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) that’s found on the surface of T-cells in cancers like MF and SS. When it attaches, the medication signals to the body’s immune system to attack and kill that cancer cell.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsPoteligeo
Drug ClassCCR4-directed monoclonal antibody
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Other Side Effects

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dry skin
  • Low appetite
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Kidney problems

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Serious infusion reactions: chills, shaking, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, flushing, fever
  • Severe skin problems: blisters, peeling, rash, sores or ulcers, pain
  • Serious infections: fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough
  • Autoimmune problems: symptoms related to inflammation in different parts of the body (e.g., heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, thyroid)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
  • Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)

thumbs-up

Pros

Works in a more targeted, specific way than chemotherapy

Preferred treatment option for MF or SS

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Cons

Can cause serious infusion-related reactions, infections, or skin problems

Intravenous infusion only, so must go to an infusion center or clinic to receive the medication

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)

pharmacist

  • Mark the dates of your infusions on your calendar or use an app on your phone to keep track of your appointments. It’s important to keep up with your appointments because Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) should be given within 2 days of the scheduled dose. This timing makes sure the medication works consistently in your body. If you miss a dose, you should notify your care team so that you can get the next dose as soon as possible.

    • Each Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) infusion takes at least 60 minutes. But you can expect to be at the infusion center longer since it takes time for the pharmacy to prepare your dose. Please plan accordingly. Make sure you dress comfortably, bring water and food, and have something to help you pass the time, such as a book or music.

      • Your care team will give you premedications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl), to take before your first dose of Poteligeo (mogamulizumab). These medications might help lower the risk of an infusion-related reaction, which can be very serious. Tell your care team if you have any chills, shaking, or shortness of breath; these can be signs of an infusion reaction.

        • Check your temperature regularly, such as once a day, when you’re receiving Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) treatment. Call your care team immediately if your temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; this means you have a fever. It’s important to tell your care team if you’re sick. Sometimes, a fever might be the only sign that you’re sick.

          • Pay close attention to your skin and speak with your oncologist if you notice any unusual changes. Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can cause serious skin rashes. Changes in your skin could also be a sign that your cancer isn’t improving.

            • Nausea and vomiting aren’t common side effects of Poteligeo (mogamulizumab). But call your care team if you’re having these side effects. Your oncologist might prescribe medications such as ondansetron (Zofran) or prochlorperazine to help you manage nausea.

              • Talk with your oncologist if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant before you start treatment with Poteligeo (mogamulizumab). If you’re able to become pregnant, use effective birth control while you’re taking this medication and for 3 months after your last dose. Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can cause harm to unborn babies.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)

                How long will I need to take Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)?
                Usually, people will continue Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) infusions until the cancer worsens or until they develop any significant side effects. In clinical studies, almost half of people were treated for at least 6 months and about a quarter of people were treated for at least 1 year. In these studies, treatment with Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) infusions ranged from 1 month to about 4 years. Keep in mind that some people had to stop treatment because of a serious rash from the medication. Discuss with your oncologist if you should continue with Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) or if you need to pause or stop infusions.
                What if I miss a dose of Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)?
                If you miss your appointment for your Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) infusion, contact your healthcare team to get your appointment rescheduled as soon as possible. You should receive your infusion within 2 days of the scheduled dose to make sure the medication works the best it can to help treat your cancer. Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) is given on specific days of each treatment cycle, so be sure to mark the dates of your infusions on your calendar to keep track of your appointments.
                How can I tell if Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) is working?
                Seeing your skin improve while you’re taking Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can be a sign that you’re responding to the medication. In fact, some people might notice their skin improving in a few months after they start taking the medication. People with MF and SS often have red, scaly, itchy rashes since the T-cells in the body become cancerous and affect the skin. And Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) might help these rashes get better. Keep in mind that people can sometimes develop skin problems from Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) itself. So it can be hard to tell if any worsening skin problems during treatment is a side effect from the medication or if the cancer is getting worse. You might need a skin biopsy to tell the difference. Contact your oncologist if you notice any changes to your skin so they can closely examine your skin.
                How well does Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) work for people with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sézary syndrome (SS)?
                In a clinical study, treatment with Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) stopped MF and SS from spreading in adults for twice as long as treatment with Zolinza (vorinostat). A little more than a quarter of people who took Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) had at least a 50% improvement in their skin, blood, lymph nodes, and other organs that were affected by the cancer. In comparison, only 5% of those treated with Zolinza (vorinostat) were able to reach this level of improvement from therapy. What’s more, the time-to-next-treatment for people who took Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) was about 10 months longer than for people who took Zolinza (vorinostat). This means that people who took Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) continued treatment longer and didn’t need to move onto the next medication as quickly as those who took Zolinza (vorinostat).
                Is Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) immunotherapy?
                Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) works more like an immunotherapy than a chemotherapy. Traditional chemotherapy works by attacking all cells in the body that grow very quickly, while immunotherapy works by using your own immune system to target cancer cells. There are many types of immunotherapy for cancer, and they affect your immune system differently. For example, some medications turn on all of your immune cells to fight cancer. But other medications, like Poteligeo (mogamulizumab), only target specific immune cells.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)?

                Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Severe skin problems

                Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can sometimes cause rash and other severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Severe skin reactions can happen at any time while you’re taking Poteligeo (mogamulizumab). They’re most common within 3 to 4 months of starting the medication, but have also happened after 7 months of treatment during studies.

                In the rare case that the skin reaction is serious, you might have to stop taking Poteligeo (mogamulizumab). Get medical care right away if you have a rash, blistering or peeling skin, or painful sores or ulcers.

                risk-warning

                Infusion reactions

                Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can cause infusion reactions. They usually happen during or after the first infusion but can also occur with future infusions. Most of the time, these reactions are mild. But sometimes, they can be serious and need more medical attention.

                To lower the risk for reactions, your care team might give you preventative medications to take before starting the Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) infusion. If you do have a reaction, your care team might stop the infusion to provide treatment and restart at a slower rate. But if your reaction is very serious, your oncologist will probably permanently stop your treatment with Poteligeo (mogamulizumab). Tell your care team right away if you have symptoms of infusion-related reactions, including chills, fever, or fast heartbeat.

                risk-warning

                Infection

                People who were treated with Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) have had infections. These infections included sepsis, pneumonia, and skin infections, and the infections were sometimes life-threatening. Let your care team know as soon as possible if you have signs of an infection, such as fevers, chills, sweats, shortness of breath, or fast heartbeat.

                risk-warning

                Autoimmune problems

                • Risk factors: Autoimmune condition

                  Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) can cause serious immune problems. The medication can cause your immune system to become too active. This can lead to inflammation or other problems in various organs of the body, including the heart, muscles, liver, lungs, thyroid, or kidneys. You might be at higher risk for autoimmune problems while you’re taking Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) if you have a history of an autoimmune condition.

                  Symptoms of autoimmune problems depend on which organ is affected. They can include pain, weakness, shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or less urine, among others. Notify your oncologist if you have any inflammatory symptoms. You might need to stop treatment until the autoimmune side effects or condition gets better.

                  risk-warning

                  Stem cell transplant problems

                  • Risk factors: Stem cell transplant after Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) treatment

                    People who’ve had an allogeneic stem cell transplant after getting treated with Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) might be at higher risk of complications. These complications can include graft versus host disease (GVHD) and death. Tell your oncologist whether you’ve taken Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) in the past if you’re about to get a stem cell transplant. This helps your oncologist know your risks so that they monitor you more frequently or possibly adjust the timing of your transplant.

                    dosage

                    Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) dosage forms

                    Typical dosing for Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)

                    Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) is given into your vein through an intravenous (IV) infusion over 60 minutes. It’s given on specific days during each 28-day treatment cycle. Your oncologist will calculate the dose based on your body weight (kg).

                    • Cycle 1: The typical dose of Poteligeo (mogamulizumab) is 1 mg/kg of body weight on days 1, 8, 15, and 22.

                    • Cycle 2 and onwards: The typical dose is 1 mg/kg of body weight on days 1 and 15.

                    alternatives

                    What are alternatives to Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)?

                    There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Poteligeo (mogamulizumab). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                    Poteligeo (mogamulizumab)
                    Used for:
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                    Targretin (bexarotene)
                    Used for:

                    • Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (refractory or persistent)

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                    References

                    Best studies we found

                    American Cancer Society. (2024). Fevers.

                    American Cancer Society. (2024). Infusion or immune reactions.

                    American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. (n.d.). Drug eruptions.

                    View All References (19)

                    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Watch out for fever.

                    Cowan, R. A., et al. (2021). Efficacy and safety of mogamulizumab by patient baseline blood tumour burden: A post hoc analysis of the MAVORIC trial. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

                    Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation’s Medical Advisory Council. (2018). Mycosis fungoides. Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation.

                    Duvic, M., et al. (2016). Mogamulizumab for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: Recent advances and clinical potential. Therapeutic Advances in Hematology.

                    Kim, Y. H., et al. (2018). Mogamulizumab versus vorinostat in previously treated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MAVORIC): An international, open-label, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial. The Lancet Oncology.

                    Kim, Y. H., et al. (2020). 2082 patient characteristics of long-term responders to mogamulizumab: Results from the MAVORIC study. 62nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition.

                    Kyowa Kirin, Inc. (2023). Poteligeo-mogamulizumab-kpkc injection [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    Kyowa Kirin International. (2020). Kyowa Kirin makes Poteligeo® (mogamulizumab) available in Europe for the treatment of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, two rare forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with high unmet medical need.

                    Labib, A., et al. (2023). Toxic epidermal necrolysis.

                    Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (n.d.). Allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

                    Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (n.d.). Graft-versus-host disease.

                    National Cancer Institute. (2019). Immunotherapy to treat cancer.

                    National Cancer Institute. (2019). Organ-related inflammation and immunotherapy.

                    National Cancer Institute. (2022). Chemotherapy to treat cancer.

                    National Cancer Institute. (2022). Mycosis fungoides (Including Sézary syndrome) treatment (PDQ®)–Patient version.

                    National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2021). Mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome.

                    Shuel, S. L. (2022). Targeted cancer therapies: Clinical pearls for primary care. Canadian Family Physician.

                    Watson, S., et al. (2019). Mogamulizumab-kpkc: A novel therapy for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology.

                    Yoshie, O. (2021). CCR4 as a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. Cancers.

                    GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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