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Campath® Alemtuzumab - For Intravenous Use Only
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Understanding CLL
Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors of CLL
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As a single agent for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) - See Things in a Whole New Light: Campath First Line - Campath® Alemtuzumab For Intravenous Use Only
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Understanding Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

When you or a loved one first heard the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (or CLL), you may have felt anxious and unsure about the future. However, many people find that learning about their condition can actually help relieve their fears and allow them to focus on maintaining their quality of life. Despite the difficulties, many people diagnosed with CLL cope well with their disease, benefit from treatment, and enjoy a good quality of life.

CLL is a specific kind of blood cancer. It may be helpful to learn more about blood and blood cancer before learning more about CLL.

To understand what CLL is, let us first look at each word:

Chronic — slow to develop, long lasting
Lymphocytic — affecting the type of white blood cells called lymphocytes
Leukemia — a cancer of the blood

So CLL is a slowly developing cancer of the lymphocytes produced in the bone marrow. Abnormal lymphocytes accumulate in the blood and in various parts of the body. They may cause an enlargement of lymph nodes and of the liver and spleen. Abnormal lymphocytes also may impair the bone marrow's ability to produce sufficient normal blood cells.1-3

There are 3 different types of lymphocytes involved in CLL: B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. B cells are by far the most common type found in CLL. Each of these 3 types of lymphocytes is produced in the same way, but they defend the body in different ways3:

The malignant lymphocytes in CLL4:

Other topics on this site related to CLL:

We hope the information presented within this site will help you learn more about the condition you are facing. Medical terms that may be new to you are linked to the Glossary. To quickly find information on a certain topic (for example, "symptoms") use the Search function or the Site Map to help you navigate the site.

Please be sure to read the important information on our Terms of Use page.

If you have any questions about the information on this site, we recommend you write them down so you can remember to discuss them with your doctor or nurse.

Indication and Important Safety Information

Campath is indicated as a single agent for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

WARNING: CYTOPENIAS, INFUSION REACTIONS, and INFECTIONS

Cytopenias: Serious, including fatal, pancytopenia/marrow hypoplasia, autoimmune idiopathic thrombocytopenia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia can occur in patients receiving Campath. Single doses of Campath greater than 30 mg or cumulative doses greater than 90 mg per week increase the incidence of pancytopenia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1)].

Infusion Reactions: Campath administration can result in serious, including fatal, infusion reactions. Carefully monitor patients during infusions and withhold Campath for Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions. Gradually escalate Campath to the recommended dose at the initiation of therapy and after interruption of therapy for 7 or more days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2) and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2)].

Infections: Serious, including fatal, bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoan infections can occur in patients receiving Campath. Administer prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) and herpes virus infections [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (2.2) and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3)].

The most commonly reported adverse reactions are infusion reactions fever, chills, hypotension, urticaria, nausea, rash, tachycardia, dyspnea), cytopenias (neutropenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), and infections (CMV viremia, CMV infection, other infections). In clinical trials, the frequency of infusion reactions was highest in the first week of treatment. Other commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, abdominal pain, insomnia and anxiety. The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions are cytopenias, infusion reactions, and immunosuppression/infections. See "Warnings and Precautions," and "Adverse Reactions" sections of full Prescribing Information.

Please see Full Prescribing Information (PDF).