Moores UCSD Cancer Center Launches Clinical Trial
Of Fully Human Antibody for Leukemia
    First U.S. patient in study receives drug at UCSD

Researchers at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center are participating in an international clinical trial of an investigational drug, called HuMax-CD20 (ofatumumab), for patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have failed, or are not able to take, currently available therapies.

The first U.S. patient in the Phase III study is receiving the drug today at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center. 

CLL is the most common leukemia in adults, with up to 12,500 new cases per year in the United States; 85 to 95 percent of the cases are of B-cell origin.

HuMax-CD20 represents a new generation of antibodies that are fully human, meaning they are made with human genes. Researchers believe this class of drugs may offer advantages over existing antibody drugs, which are part human and part mouse. In earlier clinical trials, patients receiving HuMax-CD20 experienced fewer side effects, such as fever and shaking chills, than those receiving rituximab, which is a mouse-human conjugate. Also, pre-clinical data suggests the human antibody had twice the activity of rituximab against CLL.

Patients will receive eight weekly infusions of HuMax-CD20, followed by four monthly infusions of the drug. They will be followed closely for any progression of their disease.

The Moores UCSD Cancer Center anticipates launching a clinical trial of the same antibody for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the next few weeks.

For further information contact the HuMax Study Nurse at (858) 822-2405.