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Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Alemtuzumab

What it is

Alemtuzumab is a biologic medicine, a monoclonal antibody against CD52, a protein on lymphocytes; it wipes out most T and B cells, after which the immune system slowly rebuilds. Given as two short courses of drips a year apart, it is used for highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (Lemtrada); it was earlier used for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (Campath). Autoimmune side effects require years of monitoring.

How genes come into it

As an antibody, alemtuzumab is not broken down by drug-processing enzymes. The single gene study listed, in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, looked at CXCL12 for response. The evidence is weak, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Alemtuzumab. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (1 rated variant)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

CXCL12 rs1801157: Level 3. Efficacy: Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell. 1.

Response (1 finding)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

CXCL12 rs1801157: Genotypes CT + TT are associated with decreased response to alemtuzumab, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, prednisone, rituximab or vincristine in people with Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell as compared to genotype CC.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Actemra (IL-6 Inhibitors)

Agenerase (Protease Inhibitors)

Allegra (Antihistamines)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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