tafasitamab at a glance
Medicine class
Fc-enhanced anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody
Licensed uses
Selected relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas in adults
Administration
Intravenous infusion prepared and given by an experienced cancer-care team
Combination treatment
Used with lenalidomide; rituximab is also included for follicular lymphoma
Additional monitoring
Safety is monitored particularly closely; suspected reactions can be reported through the Yellow Card Scheme
What is tafasitamab used for?
UK-licensed uses in adults are:
Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in people who are not eligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation, used with lenalidomide and subsequently alone.
Relapsed or refractory grade 1–3a follicular lymphoma after previous systemic treatment, used with lenalidomide and rituximab.
How does tafasitamab work?
Tafasitamab binds CD19, a protein found on normal and malignant B cells. Its modified antibody tail helps immune cells recognise and destroy these cells and can also trigger direct cell death.
tafasitamab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 200 mg
How to take tafasitamab
Tafasitamab is not taken by mouth. It is prepared and given into a vein by a cancer-care professional, with monitoring during and after administration.
Medicines may be given beforehand to reduce infusion reactions.
Tell the nurse immediately about fever, chills, flushing, rash or breathing problems during the infusion.
It must not be given as an intravenous push or mixed with other medicines in the same infusion line.
tafasitamab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced neutrophils, platelets, red blood cells or other blood cells
- Bacterial, viral or fungal infections
- Rash or itching
- Fatigue, weakness or fever
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain
- Cough or breathlessness
- Infusion-related reactions
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
- Muscle spasms or back pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Serious infection or sepsis, especially with fever, chills, cough, painful urination or breathing difficulty
- Febrile neutropenia or severe reduction in blood cells
- Severe infusion-related reaction, including breathing problems
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, causing new neurological symptoms
- Tumour lysis syndrome, which may cause vomiting, dark or reduced urine, muscle cramps, palpitations or marked weakness
tafasitamab in pregnancy
Tafasitamab is not recommended during pregnancy because it crosses the placenta and may reduce fetal B cells. Pregnancy should be excluded before combination treatment, effective contraception is advised during treatment and for at least three months afterwards, and lenalidomide has additional strict pregnancy-prevention requirements. Contact the specialist team immediately if pregnancy occurs.
tafasitamab while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not advised during tafasitamab treatment or for at least three months afterwards. It is unknown whether tafasitamab enters human milk, and risk to the infant cannot be excluded.
tafasitamab interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Important practical considerations include:
Live vaccines
Live vaccination is not recommended during tafasitamab treatment because its safety has not been established in this setting.
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines
These may increase bleeding risk if tafasitamab-associated thrombocytopenia develops, so treatment should be reviewed clinically.
Lenalidomide
Its pregnancy-prevention, thrombosis and adverse-effect precautions remain necessary when it is used with tafasitamab.
Common questions about tafasitamab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is tafasitamab chemotherapy?
No. Tafasitamab is a targeted monoclonal antibody, although it is used as part of cancer treatment alongside other medicines.
Which cancers is tafasitamab licensed to treat in the UK?
It is licensed for selected adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and grade 1–3a follicular lymphoma.
How is tafasitamab given?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.