Crizanlizumab (Adakveo)

Mechanism of action

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary: A humanized monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 anti-P-selectin antibody with vaso-protective and anti-vaso-occlusive properties. Upon administration, crizanlizumab binds to P-selectin and blocks its interaction with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1; SELPLG) on neutrophils and monocytes. P-selectin, a glycoprotein that functions as a cell adhesion molecule (CAM), translocates to the surface of activated endothelial cells and platelets, upon stimulation, where it binds to its ligand and mediates the rolling of platelets and neutrophils on activated endothelial cells.

Preliminary data

Sickle cell anemia

• Ataga KI, Kutlar A, Kanter J, Liles D, Cancado R, Friedrisch J, Guthrie TH, Knight-Madden J, Alvarez OA, Gordeuk VR, Gualandro S, Colella MP, Smith WR, Rollins SA, Stocker JW, Rother RP. Crizanlizumab for the prevention of pain crises in sickle cell disease. N Engl J Med. 2017 Feb 2;376(5):429-439. Epub 2016 Dec 3. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed