Denileukin diftitox: A novel immunotoxin

Objective: To review FDA approved and other potential uses of Ontak, denileukin diftitox. Methods: Information was obtained via the internet and a journal literature review. Results: In 1999, the FDA approved the use of denileukin diftitox for patients with persistent or relapsed CD25-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), but Ontak has been reported to be an effective therapy for other neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions. Oncological uses include therapy for CD25-negative T-cell lymphoma, recurrent and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma (NHL), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus- 1 (HTLV-1)-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Potential additional uses of Ontak include: therapy of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus, scleroderma and vasculitis. Denileukin diftitox's effect has also been studied for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HIV, but conclusive data are still pending. Conclusion: There are many potential uses for denileukin diftitox, in both malignant and benign disorders. More human trials are needed to demonstrate further efficacy for a wide range of diseases.