(blih-nuh-TOO-moh-mab)
Blinatumomab works by bringing healthy T cells (immune cells that help kill cancer cells) and leukemia cells close together so the T cells can more effectively kill the leukemia cells. It does this by binding to a protein called CD3 on healthy T cells and a protein called CD19 on B cells (the immune cells that are cancerous in acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Blinatumomab is a type of targeted therapy drug called a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE).
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Blinatumomab is approved to treat:
- B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults and children. It is used:
- In patients whose cancer has come back or did not respond to treatment.
- In some patients whose cancer is in complete remission.
Blinatumomab is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Blinatumomab
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary – Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
More About Blinatumomab – A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Research Results and Related Resources
Blinatumomab Increases Survival for Infants with an Aggressive Type of ALL
Trial Suggests Expanded Role for Blinatumomab in Treating ALL
Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Blinatumomab – Check for trials from NCI’s list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.
