Lintuzumab (SGN-33)We are currently conducting three clinical trials of lintuzumab (SGN-33) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Details about these ongoing studies can be found on the linked page of www.clinicaltrials.gov.
If you or your physician have any questions about these clinical trials, please e-mail Seattle Genetics at clinicaltrials@seagen.com. Product Candidate Details Lintuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD33, a cell surface antigen that is expressed on several tumor types, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and several myeloproliferative disorders. About Acute Myeloid Leukemia Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature blood cells. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 13,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2008. AML results in uncontrolled, exaggerated growth and accumulation of malignant cells called "blasts" which fail to function as normal blood cells and block the production of normal marrow cells, leading to a deficiency of red cells (anemia), platelets (thrombocytopenia) and normal white cells (neutropenia) in the blood. About Myelodysplastic Syndromes Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a collection of disorders in which blood cells remain at an immature stage within the bone marrow and never fully develop into cells capable of performing their necessary functions. MDS patients do not meet criteria for leukemia based on the percentage of blasts in the bone marrow. However, many MDS patients will eventually develop AML over time, leading to use of the terms “smoldering leukemia” and “preleukemia” to describe this condition. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 10,000 - 15,000 new cases of MDS are diagnosed annually in the United States. MDS patients must often rely on blood transfusions to manage symptoms of anemia and fatigue until they develop life-threatening iron overload, infection or bleeding, underscoring the critical need for new therapies targeting the abnormal cells as well as therapies that control symptoms. Additional Resources For information on AML, visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.leukemia-lymphoma.org. For more information on MDS, visit the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation at www.mds-foundation.org. For additional information about cancer and relevant support groups please go to the American Cancer Society Web Site at www.cancer.org. |