My Dad, age 81, was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Who knows anything about the drug Mylotarg

Question

At his age, aggressive chemotherapy is not very efffective, often resulting in death. The doctors have recommended a drug called Mylotarg. Does anybody have any experiences, or info, with this drug? Please help....

Answer 1

never heared of it

Answer 2

You can read some personal experiences using Mylotarg for AML in the elderly via Goggle groups. I didn't see anything that indicated it might significantly extend your dad's life. You need to consider whether the chemo is for his benefit or for the benefit of others and what chemo might accomplish. It will be easy to get someone to administer the drug but harder to get the truth as to whether this would be helpful to your dad.

Even without the chemo, once the AML becomes aggressive your dad will be prone to infections, thrush, etc and chemo would make these problems harder to treat and appear sooner. I helped nurse my elderly neighbor through dying from AML and he did pretty well up until the last month or six weeks. He opted for no chemo and used hospice visits to allow him to stay at home. Your dad has some tough decisions to make. I wish you both the best.

http://www.hospicenet.org/html/preparing_for.html

Answer 3

Can you clarify some things? Does she know her diagnosis yet? Why on earth did the doctors pull you AND her friends out to discuss the diagnosis? The doctors should not be sharing information with her friends like that. Why is she going to be in the hospital for five straight months? That's very unusual. Even with AML, there is usually a few days or a full week in between rounds that can be spent at home, barring infections. Hopefully, this will be the case with your daughter, and the doctors are being conservative by saying five months straight. Bladder cancer is extremely rare in adolescents- have they addressed yet how this will be treated? Will they be doing surgery to remove the tumor? If your daughter does not know, she needs to be told. This should be done with you present, as well as a doctor and a social worker and/or child life specialist. The doctor and SW and CLS are all very familiar with telling adolescents about cancer and helping them to understand. She needs to be told immediately- it's unfair to her to not know, especially if her friends know (I'm still baffled over that.) She also needs to know what to expect as far as testing and treatment, with plenty of notice. She needs to know about surgery (which I'm assuming will be occurring for the bladder tumor and to insert a central line), chemotherapy and side effects (especially hair loss... give her information, and give her time to grieve this loss... it seems trivial compared to dealing with two cancers, but it can be a major loss for teen girls), etc. This is pretty normal behavior whether or not she knows. She doesn't want you to be worried and scared. You can tell her that it's okay to have all sorts of emotions. She should be visited by the social worker and child life specialist, who can both address the emotions that come with the diagnosis, but she also needs to know that you're okay with seeing her sad and scared (even if you're not... it's important that she feels it's okay to demonstrate feelings.) But you can also assure her that the doctors are working hard to figure out the right treatment for her, and that she's in good hands.

Answer 4

Please check this site. They have good info, and there should be links also.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
Best wishes

Answer 5

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Drugs & Vitamins Mylotarg
Active Ingredients: Gemtuzumab ozogamicin
Representative Names: Mylotarg


What is gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection do?
What should my health care professional know before I receive gemtuzumab ozogamicin?
How should I use this medicine?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with gemtuzumab ozogamicin?
What side effects may I notice from receiving gemtuzumab ozogamicin?
What should I watch for while taking gemtuzumab ozogamicin?
Where can I keep my medicine?

What is gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection do? (Back to top) GEMTUZUMAB OZOGAMICIN (Mylotarg™) is chemotherapy agent used for treating acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is a special kind of drug (a monoclonal antibody) that targets the leukemia cells. Unfortunately, it also affects some good cells, which leads to some side effects. Generic gemtuzumab ozogamicin injections are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive gemtuzumab ozogamicin? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•difficulty breathing or any lung condition
•bleeding problems
•dental disease
•infection (especially cold sores or shingles)
•jaundice
•liver disease
•previous bone marrow or stem cell transplant
•an unusual or allergic reaction to gemtuzumab ozogamicin, mouse proteins, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine? (Back to top)
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is infused into a vein by a specially trained health care provider. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting. You will receive medication (acetaminophen, Tylenol®, and diphenhydramine, Benadryl®) before your infusion to help decrease side effects related to the infusion. You will be closely monitored during and after the infusion for side effects.

What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
It is important not to miss your dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with gemtuzumab ozogamicin? (Back to top)
•vaccines

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
•aspirin
•acetaminophen
•ibuprofen
•ketoprofen
•naproxen

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving gemtuzumab ozogamicin? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
During and up to 4 hours after the infusion:
•chills
•difficulty breathing, wheezing
•dizziness
•headache
•nausea/vomiting
•shortness of breath
After the infusion of gemtuzumab ozogamicin:
•difficulty passing urine
•mouth or throat sores or ulcers
•low blood counts - gemtuzumab ozogamicin may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
•signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
•signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
•signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
•stomach pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•back pain
•constipation
•diarrhea
•difficulty sleeping
•heartburn
•muscle or joint aches and pains

What should I watch for while taking gemtuzumab ozogamicin? (Back to top)
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of gemtuzumab ozogamicin may continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because gemtuzumab ozogamicin affects good cells as well as cancer cells.

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin will decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.

Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), ketoprofen (Orudis KT®) or naproxen (Aleve®) products as these may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving gemtuzumab ozogamicin because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are taking gemtuzumab ozogamicin.

Do not have any vaccinations without your prescriber's approval and avoid anyone who has recently had the oral polio vaccine.

Women of childbearing age should use effective birth control methods during and after gemtuzumab ozogamicin treatment. There is a risk of birth defects if gemtuzumab ozogamicin is given during pregnancy. Women should not become pregnant while being treated with gemtuzumab ozogamicin.

Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce the risk of possible kidney problems.

Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top)
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin injection will be given to you in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not take this medicine at home