Denileukin diftitox

Denileukin diftitox, sold under the brand name Ontak among others, is an anti-cancer medication used for the treatment of adults with T-cell lymphoma. It is an IL2-receptor-directed cytotoxin. It is an engineered protein combining interleukin-2 and diphtheria toxin.^[3]

Denileukin diftitox

Clinical data
Trade names	Ontak, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a611024
License data	US DailyMed: Denileukin diftitox
Routes of administration	Intravenous
Drug class	Antineoplastic
ATC code	L01XX29 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only[1][2]
Pharmacokinetic data
Elimination half-life	70-80 min
Identifiers
IUPAC name Diphtheria toxin-Interleukin-2 fusion protein
CAS Number	173146-27-5 Y
IUPHAR/BPS	7044
DrugBank	DB00004 Y
ChemSpider	none
UNII	25E79B5CTM
KEGG	D03682
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1201550 N
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C2560H4042N678O799S17
Molar mass	57647.46 g·mol−1
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Medical uses

Denileukin diftitox is indicated for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory stage I-III cutaneous T-cell lymphoma after at least one prior systemic therapy.^[1][2]

Adverse effects

The prescription label contains a boxed warning that capillary leak syndrome (CLS), including life-threatening or fatal reactions, can occur in people receiving denileukin diftitox.^[1][2]

Society and culture

Legal status

In 1999, denileukin diftitox was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.^[1][4]