ofatumumab (Arzerra, Kesimpta)

Indications

• previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• multiple sclerosis: relapsing-remitting disease, active secondary progressive disease, or clinically isolated syndrome (Kesimpta)

Contraindications

• not recommended for:
  • chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • severe persistent asthma

Dosage

• 12 doses by intravenous infusion
• 300 mg initial dose
• followed 1 week later by 2000 mg weekly for 7 doses
• followed 4 weeks later by 2000 mg every 4 weeks for 4 doses

• multiple sclerosis: 20 mg monthly subcutaneous injection

Adverse effects

• common (>=10%) -neutropenia, pneumonia, pyrexia, cough, diarrhea, anemia, fatigue, dyspnea, rash, nausea, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infections.
• does not appear to increase Covid-19 severity

Boxed warning:

• risk of reactivation of hepatitis B infection

• drug adverse effects of pharmaceutical monoclonal antibodies

Mechanism of action

• monoclonal antibody directed against CD20

More general terms

• antineoplastic monoclonal antibody