Antibody-targeted chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia using gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults and accounts for 20% of pediatric leukemia. Although conventional chemotherapy induces clinical remissions in most patients with AML, recurrent leukemia represents the major obstacle to cure. Conventional chemotherapy reinduction is associated with limited efficacy and substantial toxicity. Chemotherapy specifically targeted to leukemic cells by monoclonal antibodies might enable patients to achieve remissions more safely than conventional approaches. After evaluating a series of phase II studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) for the treatment of patients with CD33-positive AML in first relapse who are 60 years of age or older and who are not considered candidates for other types of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Among 277 adult patients with CD33-positive AML in first relapse, 26% experienced an overall response after Mylotarg monotherapy. Despite the fact that myelosuppression, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated hepatic transaminases were commonly observed, the incidences of severe infections and mucositis were relatively low in comparison with conventional chemotherapeutic treatment. Preliminary reports in pediatric patients also report Mylotarg to be reasonably well tolerated. Recently, data from study regimens combining Mylotarg and conventional chemotherapy suggest an unusually high remission induction rate in de novo AML patients. Information assembled from prospective, ongoing studies in the United States and the United Kingdom should help us use this novel immunoconjugate in a safe and effective manner.