Re <<My memory fails me - what is the target for Campath-1H?>>
The molecular target is CD52; the therapeutic target or indication is CLL. How big is this indication compared to, say, non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL)?
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From the 1998 10-K:
LDP-03 (CAMPATH-IH)
LeukoSite's lead product candidate, LDP-03, is a humanized monoclonal antibody to the leukocyte antigen CAMPATH, which the Company is developing jointly with Ilex Oncology, Inc. ("Ilex") for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia ("CLL"). The Company licensed LDP-03 from the British Technology Group ("BTG") after reviewing data from Phase I and II clinical trials conducted by Burroughs Wellcome ("BW") showing activity in the treatment
of patients with CLL. LDP-03 combats CLL by selectively depleting lymphocytes while sparing hematopoietic stem cells. This selective depletion permits the body to retain needed hematopoietic stem cells that are the precursors to, and repopulate the blood with, leukocytes and preserve normal immune function.
LDP-03 binds to the antigen CD52, which is expressed almost exclusively on lymphocytes and which is not expressed on hematopoietic stem cells, and destroys the lymphocytes. By attacking the antigen CD52 and its lymphocytes, LDP-03 is more selective than currently approved drugs for lymphomas and leukemias which
indiscriminately deplete rapidly-dividing cells, including both lymphocytes and hematopoietic stem cells.
CLL patients are presently treated with chlorambucil and fludarabine as first-line or second-line therapy. Despite this course of treatment, all patients not dying of other causes eventually relapse. No approved therapy is available to treat patients who fail therapy with fludarabine. Based on the data from the clinical trials, the Company believes that LDP-03 may be effective for symptomatic CLL patients who have failed the current standard of care and second
line therapies. |
