Common brand names

• Adcetris

How it is administered

Brentuximab vedotin is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This means it is administered directly into a vein over a period of about 30 minutes. It comes as a powder that is mixed with sterile water before use. The dose and frequency depend on the specific type of lymphoma being treated and whether it is used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. For most adult blood cancers, it is given every 2 or 3 weeks, depending on the treatment plan.

How it works

Brentuximab vedotin is a type of targeted cancer therapy known as an antibody-drug conjugate. It combines a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and binds to a protein called CD30, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells, including those in some T-cell lymphomas. Attached to this antibody is a chemotherapy drug called MMAE, which disrupts the microtubule network inside cells.

When brentuximab vedotin attaches to a CD30-positive cancer cell, it is taken inside the cell, where the MMAE is released. This disrupts the cell's internal structure, stops it from dividing, and leads to cell death. Because CD30 is mostly found on cancer cells and not on most healthy cells, this approach helps target the treatment more specifically to cancer cells, potentially reducing some side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.

Who should take it

Brentuximab vedotin is indicated for adults with certain types of blood cancers, especially those that express the CD30 protein. These include:

• Previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), in combination with chemotherapy.
• Patients with relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL, after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen.
• Other indications include Hodgkin lymphoma and some B-cell lymphomas, but for Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL), it may be considered if the cancer expresses CD30 and other treatments have not worked.

Your doctor will determine if brentuximab vedotin is appropriate based on your specific cancer type, CD30 expression, prior treatments, and overall health.

Who should not take it

Brentuximab vedotin should not be used in combination with bleomycin due to the risk of serious lung toxicity. It should also be avoided in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min) or moderate to severe liver impairment, as these conditions increase the risk of serious side effects.

Patients who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to brentuximab vedotin or any of its components should not receive this medication. It is also not recommended for use during pregnancy, as it can cause harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your healthcare provider of all your medical conditions and medications before starting brentuximab vedotin.

Commonly used with

Brentuximab vedotin is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, depending on the type of lymphoma being treated. For T-cell lymphomas, it is commonly combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (CHP regimen). In other settings, it may be used with agents like vinblastine and dacarbazine, or with lenalidomide and rituximab for certain B-cell lymphomas.

Your doctor will choose the combination that is best suited for your specific cancer and health situation.

Commonly tested with

Brentuximab vedotin has been tested in clinical trials with various chemotherapy regimens, including:

• Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (CHP) for peripheral T-cell lymphomas
• Doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (AVD) for Hodgkin lymphoma
• Lenalidomide and rituximab for large B-cell lymphoma

It has also been studied as a single agent in patients whose cancer has returned after other treatments. The choice of combination depends on the specific type of blood cancer and prior therapies.