Glofitamab (brand name Columvi) is a cancer medicine given by IV infusion. It is used for certain fast-growing B-cell lymphomas when other treatments have not worked or have stopped working. You will be watched closely during treatment, especially with your first doses.
Brand Name(s)
- United States: Columvi
- Canada: Columvi
- Generic name: glofitamab-gxbm
Warning(s)
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS): CRS can be severe and sometimes life-threatening. You will get medicines before treatment and be monitored closely. Call your care team right away for fever, chills or shakiness, dizziness or fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, or confusion.
- Infusion reactions: Reactions can happen during or after the IV. Tell your nurse right away if you have fever, chills, flushing, rash, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or low blood pressure.
- Serious infections: You may get infections more easily, and some can be severe. Call for fever, very bad sore throat, cough with more or colored mucus, ear or sinus pain, pain with urination, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal. Wash your hands often and avoid people who are sick.
- Low blood counts: This medicine can lower white cells, red cells, and platelets. This may raise the chance of infection, bleeding, or anemia. You will have regular blood tests.
- Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): TLS can happen when many cancer cells die quickly. Call for fast or abnormal heartbeat, fainting, muscle cramps or weakness, less urine, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling very tired.
- Nervous system problems: Sometimes these can be severe. Call right away for confusion, severe headache, dizziness, memory problems, seizures, shaking, numbness or tingling, trouble focusing, speaking, understanding, or walking, balance changes, trouble sleeping, new mood or behavior changes, or extreme sleepiness.
- Tumor flare: Painful swelling of tumors or lymph nodes can occur. Call for increased pain or swelling in the tumor area, pain or swelling of a gland, chest pain, cough, or trouble breathing.
- Allergic reactions: Get help right away for rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Driving and activities: Avoid driving or tasks that require alertness until you know how this drug affects you.
- Vaccines: Do not get live vaccines during treatment. Other vaccines may not work as well. Talk with your care team before any shots.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: This drug may harm an unborn baby. You will have a pregnancy test before starting. Use birth control during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose.
- Other important tips: Carry the patient safety card at all times. Drink fluids as directed so you are not dehydrated before infusions. Tell all your health care providers that you receive this medicine. If you are 65 or older, you may have a higher chance of side effects.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
- Large B-cell lymphoma that started as follicular lymphoma (transformed FL)
- High-grade B-cell lymphoma
- Usually used after other treatments fail
Your care team will confirm whether your lymphoma type is CD20-positive and if this medicine is appropriate for you.
Mechanism of Action
Glofitamab is a bispecific antibody. It attaches to CD20 on B cells (including many lymphoma cells) and to CD3 on T cells. By bringing your T cells close to the cancer cells, it helps your immune system attack and kill the lymphoma cells.
Common Side Effects
- Fever, chills, feeling tired or weak
- Headache or dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain
- Decreased appetite
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Rash or itching
- Muscle, joint, back, bone, neck, side, arm, or leg pain
- Swelling or low blood pressure during infusion
- Low blood counts (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
Not everyone has these side effects. Tell your care team if side effects bother you or do not go away. Get urgent help for symptoms listed in the Warning(s) section.
Last reviewed: 2025-12-04
