Is Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) used for CD33-positive AML?
Yes. Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets CD33, so it is used in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases that express CD33. CD33 is commonly present on AML blasts, and Mylotarg’s mechanism relies on CD33-positive cells for its activity [1].
When doctors consider it: what AML setting is Mylotarg for?
Mylotarg has been studied and used in AML treatment settings where CD33 is a relevant target, typically including newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory AML patient populations, depending on the specific product label and country [1].
What if the leukemia is CD33-negative or low?
If AML cells do not express CD33 (or express it at very low levels), Mylotarg is less likely to bind its target effectively. In that situation, clinicians generally look for other AML treatment options rather than relying on a CD33-targeted therapy [1].
Do you need a special test to confirm CD33 positivity?
Most centers confirm CD33 status with flow cytometry (or a comparable lab assay) on a patient’s leukemia samples. If you are asking because you have lab results, the key question to ask your hematologist is whether the report shows meaningful CD33 expression on AML blasts, not just whether CD33 is present at any level [1].
Sources
[1] DrugPatentWatch.com – Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) information: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/))