Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) for Leukemia

Overview
Mylotarg is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat newly diagnosed adults with CD33 positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adults and children with relapsed or refractory CD33 positive AML. Mylotarg is also referred to by its drug name, gemtuzumab ozogamicin.

Mylotarg is a biologic drug – a genetically engineered protein, or antibody – that attacks specific targets. Mylotarg is a specific type of biologic called a monoclonal antibody. Mylotarg is believed to work by targeting the CD33 antigen on cancer cells, resulting in cell death.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Mylotarg should be administered by a health care provider multiple times per week.

Mylotarg comes in the form of an intravenous infusion (IV).

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Mylotarg lists common side effects including bleeding (hemorrhage), infection, fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, abnormal liver function tests, rash, and ulcers in the digestive tract (mucositis).

Rare but serious side effects listed for Mylotarg include allergic reaction, hemorrhage, and veno-occlusive liver disease (VOD).

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Mylotarg – ChemoCare
http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/gem...