Gemtuzumab ozogamicin in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) is a chemotherapeutic agent that consists of a humanized anti-CD33 antibody (hP67.6) linked to N-acetyl-gamma calicheamicin 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine dichloride, a potent enediyne antitumor antibiotic. GO was approved conditionally by the Federal Drug Administration in May 2000 as single-agent therapy for first recurrence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a subset of older patients. Data on studies in AML with GO-based regimens have been reported rapidly in addition to new observations on the target antigen, CD33. These data indicate promising new areas of investigation with GO, including its application as maintenance therapy in patients with AML and as an induction and/or maintenance agent in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia;, and they also have highlighted challenges in the development of GO, particularly its association with hepatic venoocclusive disease. In vitro data on the mechanism of action of GO may be particularly helpful in the design of future clinical studies.