Abstract
Ofatumumab, a fully human monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody is highly effective in treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Increase of complement-dependent cytotoxicity is induced by ofatumumab when compared to rituximab, the first anti-CD20 antibody registered in oncology.
On the basis of results from a large phase III international clinical trial, ofatumumab monotherapy was approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of double-refractory CLL (i.e., refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab). The most common adverse events associated with ofatumumab treatment are infusion reactions and infections.
Ongoing clinical trials investigate efficacy and safety of ofatumumab in combined chemoimmunotherapy and maintenance therapy of CLL, as well as other B lymphoproliferative disorders or rheumatoid arthritis.