An anti-CD19 antibody used with lenalidomide for lymphoma
Tafasitamab
A targeted antibody treatment used with lenalidomide for a type of large B-cell lymphoma.
What is Tafasitamab?
Tafasitamab is a specialist treatment for a type of large B-cell lymphoma, given as a drip into a vein and used together with the tablet lenalidomide. It is an antibody that attaches to a marker called CD19 on lymphoma cells, flagging them for destruction by the immune system. The main things to watch for are reactions during the drip, a drop in blood cells (which can raise the risk of infection and bleeding), and serious infections. Because it is used with lenalidomide, which can seriously harm a developing baby, strict pregnancy prevention rules apply. It is supervised by a cancer specialist team.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Tafasitamab — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Tafasitamab is a specialist cancer medicine used to treat a type of large B-cell lymphoma, a cancer of certain white blood cells, usually in people who cannot have a stem-cell transplant. It is a monoclonal antibody that recognises a marker called CD19 on the surface of lymphoma cells. It is given as an infusion (a drip) into a vein and is used together with a tablet medicine called lenalidomide. After an initial more intensive phase, tafasitamab is given less often, then continued on its own for as long as it is helping. It is supervised by a cancer specialist team.
How it works
Tafasitamab attaches to CD19, a marker found on B cells, including the cancerous B cells of lymphoma. By coating these cells, it flags them for the immune system to attack and destroy, and it can also directly trigger the cancer cell to die. It is paired with lenalidomide, which works in a different way to boost the immune attack on the lymphoma, so the two together are more effective than either alone. Because CD19 is also on normal B cells, the treatment lowers normal B cells too, which is part of why infections and low blood counts can occur.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist cancer treatment used in the UK for a type of large B-cell lymphoma, given by drip alongside the tablet lenalidomide.
Practical use
How to take Tafasitamab
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Tafasitamab is given as a drip into a vein by your cancer team, more often at first and then less frequently.
- It is taken together with the tablet lenalidomide for the first part of treatment, then tafasitamab continues on its own.
- You are usually given medicines before the drip to reduce reactions, and watched during and after it.
- Report a high temperature, shivering or feeling generally unwell straight away, as this can signal a serious infection.
- Follow the strict pregnancy-prevention rules for lenalidomide, including contraception and pregnancy testing, and take any clot-prevention medicine as advised.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Tafasitamab
Advantages
- A targeted antibody that helps the immune system destroy CD19-positive lymphoma cells.
- An option for a type of large B-cell lymphoma in people who cannot have a stem-cell transplant.
- Used with lenalidomide to boost the immune attack, then continued on its own if it keeps working.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes reactions during the drip, especially with the first infusions.
- Can lower blood cells, raising the risk of infection, bruising, bleeding and tiredness.
- Used with lenalidomide, which has strict pregnancy-prevention rules and raises the risk of blood clots.
Practical use
Good to know
There are a few key points. Reactions during or soon after the drip, such as chills, flushing, breathlessness or rash, are common, especially with the first infusions, so you are watched closely and usually given medicines beforehand to reduce them. The treatment can lower your blood cells: a drop in infection-fighting white cells raises the risk of infection, a drop in platelets can cause bruising or bleeding, and a drop in red cells causes tiredness. Serious infections can occur, so report any high temperature or feeling unwell urgently. A very important point is that this regimen includes lenalidomide, which can cause severe harm to a developing baby; strict pregnancy-prevention rules, including contraception and pregnancy testing, apply, and lenalidomide also raises the risk of blood clots, so clot-prevention is usually given. Your team monitors blood counts and watches for infection throughout.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to tafasitamab should not receive it.
- Because it is used with lenalidomide, it must not be used in pregnancy, and strict pregnancy-prevention rules apply.
- It is used with care in people with ongoing infections or very low blood counts, under specialist guidance.
Monitoring
- Regular blood tests to check infection-fighting cells, platelets and red cells.
- Watching for reactions during the drip and for signs of infection between treatments.
- Pregnancy testing and clot monitoring as part of the lenalidomide safety rules.
Side effects
- Reactions during or soon after the drip, such as chills, flushing, breathlessness or rash.
- A drop in infection-fighting white cells, raising the risk of serious infection.
- A drop in platelets (causing bruising or bleeding) and red cells (causing tiredness).
- Tiredness, diarrhoea, cough and, because of lenalidomide, an increased risk of blood clots.
Key interactions
- Tell your team about all your medicines, as some affect the immune system or blood counts.
- Medicines that increase bleeding or clotting risk need careful review alongside lenalidomide.
- Live vaccines are generally avoided during treatment; check with your team before any vaccination.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution for a drip into a vein, used with lenalidomide capsules.
Answers
Tafasitamab: frequently asked questions
What is tafasitamab used for?
It is used to treat a type of large B-cell lymphoma, usually in people who cannot have a stem-cell transplant, by targeting the CD19 marker on lymphoma cells.
Why is it given with lenalidomide?
Lenalidomide works in a different way to boost the immune attack on the lymphoma, so the two together are more effective than tafasitamab alone for the first part of treatment.
What reactions can happen during the drip?
Chills, flushing, breathlessness or a rash can occur, especially with the first infusions, so you are watched closely and usually given medicines beforehand.
Why do I need to watch for infections?
The treatment can lower your infection-fighting white cells, so a high temperature or feeling unwell may signal a serious infection and should be reported urgently.
Are there pregnancy rules?
Yes. Because lenalidomide can severely harm a developing baby, strict pregnancy-prevention rules apply, including contraception and pregnancy testing.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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