Aldesleukin

Campath is the trade name of Alemtuzumab. This is a monoclonal antibody used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

This drug is administered intravenously by infusion into the veins. There are certain pre-medications which can be administered before the infusion to help reduce the side effects due to infusion. This medication is started off with a low dosage and gradually increased as the body accepts the medication into the body and this increased level is maintained until the end of the treatment cycle. The amount of drug administered depends upon your weight, height, your body health and also the stage of cancer.

Side effects

Side effects are predictable and reversible, as the side effects are seen at the onset and remain till the end of the treatment cycle. There are infusion related side effects which start within half an hour of the treatment and this is more common during the first week of treatment cycle and the side effects are nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, diarrhea, low blood pressure etc.

There has been a noticeable drop in the blood count both the white blood cell count as well as the red blood count which could lead to infection and anemia. In some cases there are complaints of bronchitis, loss of appetite, sweating, numbness, retention of water leading to swellings, cough etc.

You need to contact your health care person if some of the following side effects are persistent. Vomiting for continuous time period, nausea in spite of taking anti-nausea medications, diarrhea, unusual bleeding, blood in the urine or stool, pain or swelling at the site of injection etc.

Certain Precautions

You need to tell your doctor about all the medications you are current on which includes vitamin supplements as well as herbal supplements. Alemtuzumab should be avoided if you are allergic to other monoclonal antibodies. Alemtuzumab should be avoided strictly in case of infection.

Avoid vaccination or immunization when on alemtuzumab, pregnancy should be strictly avoided as this could be fatal for the fetus, breast feeding should also be avoided and you need to inform your doctor about any impending pregnancy.

Self care tips

Make use of electric razors as this will prevent cuts, use soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding in the gums, avoid sports which lead to injuries, avoid crowded place as this could lead to infections, use anti-nausea medications to prevent nausea, avoid direct exposure to sun light, use of sun protection gear is recommended, use sunscreen with SPF 15 or more. Increase fluid intake, following a healthy and a nutritional diet is recommended, avoid alcohol and alcoholic beverages, if certain side effects persists in spite of precautions you need to consult your doctor at the earliest. Having regular blood tests done helps monitor the proper functioning of the internal organs.

Working of Alemtuzumab

This is a target therapy drug. Antibodies are created in the body itself but to prepare anti-cancer monoclonal antibody they are prepared in the laboratory using human and animal protein which have a specific function and that is to target cancer cells.

These are less toxic to healthy cells and help destroy the cancer cells in the bone marrow as well as in the blood stream, though initially the immune system of the body is weak when this mode of treatment is carried on it helps the body regain its immunity after the completion of the treatment cycle.