elotuzumab at a glance
Medicine class
Immunostimulatory monoclonal antibody targeting SLAMF7.
Usual role
Combination treatment for previously treated multiple myeloma in adults.
Administration
Intravenous infusion under specialist supervision.
Before infusion
Medicines are given beforehand to reduce infusion-related reactions.
What is elotuzumab used for?
UK-licensed uses in adults are:
With lenalidomide and dexamethasone for multiple myeloma after at least one previous therapy.
With pomalidomide and dexamethasone for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma after at least two previous therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor, when the disease progressed on the latest therapy.
How does elotuzumab work?
Elotuzumab binds SLAMF7, a protein found at high levels on myeloma cells and also present on natural killer cells. This helps activate immune cells and directs the killing and engulfment of myeloma cells.
elotuzumab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 300 mg, 400 mg
How to take elotuzumab
Elotuzumab is prepared from a powder, diluted and infused into a vein by trained healthcare professionals. An antihistamine, dexamethasone and paracetamol are given beforehand to reduce infusion-related reactions.
Tell staff immediately if you feel unwell during the infusion.
The infusion may be paused or slowed if a reaction occurs.
Do not drive or use machinery until infusion-related symptoms have resolved.
elotuzumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Infusion-related reactions
- Fever, fatigue or headache
- Cough, sore throat or upper respiratory infection
- Pneumonia
- Diarrhoea
- Reduced white blood cells or lymphocytes
- Weight loss
- Shingles
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe infusion-related or anaphylactic reaction
- Pneumonia or another serious infection
- Deep-vein thrombosis
- Chest pain
elotuzumab in pregnancy
There is no human pregnancy experience with elotuzumab, and it should generally be avoided unless specialist treatment is clinically necessary. Lenalidomide and pomalidomide can cause severe fetal harm, so their pregnancy-prevention programmes must be followed. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for the product-specified period afterwards. Discuss pregnancy or pregnancy plans with the specialist team immediately.
elotuzumab while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should be stopped during elotuzumab combination treatment because of the accompanying lenalidomide or pomalidomide. Discuss feeding options with the oncology and maternity teams.
elotuzumab interactions
Dedicated pharmacokinetic interaction studies have not been performed. Requirements for the accompanying treatments remain important.
Lenalidomide
Its contraindications, pregnancy-prevention programme and other safety requirements apply when combined with elotuzumab.
Pomalidomide
Its contraindications, pregnancy-prevention programme and other safety requirements apply when combined with elotuzumab.
CYP enzyme inhibitors or inducers
A clinically meaningful effect on elotuzumab exposure is not expected because monoclonal antibodies are not normally cleared through CYP metabolism.
Common questions about elotuzumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is elotuzumab chemotherapy?
It is not conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. It is a targeted, immunostimulatory monoclonal antibody used within combination treatment.
Can elotuzumab be used on its own?
No UK monotherapy indication is listed. It is licensed with lenalidomide or pomalidomide plus dexamethasone.
How is elotuzumab given?
It is prepared and infused into a vein by an experienced healthcare team.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.