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Brentuximab Vedotin

Brentuximab Vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate being studied in clinical trials for various types of lymphomas and other cancers that express the CD30 protein. This article summarizes key information from several clinical trials investigating Brentuximab Vedotin’s safety and effectiveness in treating conditions like Hodgkin lymphoma, T-cell lymphomas, and germ cell tumors. The trials are evaluating Brentuximab Vedotin alone or in combination with other therapies in patients who have relapsed or are resistant to other treatments.

Table of Contents

What is Brentuximab Vedotin?

Brentuximab Vedotin, also known by its brand name Adcetris or research name SGN-35, is a type of cancer medication called an antibody-drug conjugate[1]. This means it combines two parts: an antibody (a protein that targets specific cells) and a drug that can kill cancer cells. It’s designed to deliver the cancer-fighting drug directly to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells[1].

How Does It Work?

Brentuximab Vedotin works by targeting a specific protein called CD30, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells. The antibody part of the drug attaches to CD30, and then the drug part (called monomethyl auristatin E or MMAE) is released into the cancer cell, causing it to die[1]. This targeted approach allows the medication to attack cancer cells while potentially causing less harm to normal, healthy cells.

What Conditions Does Brentuximab Vedotin Treat?

Brentuximab Vedotin is used to treat several types of cancers, including:

  • Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL): A type of cancer that affects the lymph system. Brentuximab Vedotin is used for patients with relapsed (returned after treatment) or refractory (not responding to treatment) HL[2][1].
  • Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL): A group of lymphomas that affect the skin. This includes conditions like mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome[3].
  • Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL): A rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma[3].
  • Other CD30-positive lymphomas: Including some types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas that express the CD30 protein[4].

Research is also ongoing to explore its potential in treating other types of cancers, such as:

  • Germ Cell Tumors: A type of cancer that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs[5].
  • Acute Lymphoid and Myeloid Leukemias: Cancers of the blood and bone marrow[6].

How is Brentuximab Vedotin Administered?

Brentuximab Vedotin is typically given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which means it’s delivered directly into your bloodstream through a vein. The usual dose is 1.8 mg per kilogram of body weight, given every three weeks[2]. However, the exact dosage and schedule can vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the individual patient’s needs.

Treatment usually continues for several cycles, often up to 16 cycles, unless the disease progresses or side effects become too severe[3]. Your doctor will monitor your progress throughout the treatment and adjust the plan as needed.

Current Clinical Trials

Several clinical trials are currently exploring new ways to use Brentuximab Vedotin, including:

  • Combining it with other chemotherapy drugs for newly diagnosed Hodgkin Lymphoma[7].
  • Using it as a treatment for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma to potentially avoid the need for stem cell transplantation[8].
  • Testing its effectiveness in germ cell tumors that have not responded to other treatments[5].
  • Evaluating its use in combination with other drugs for various types of lymphomas[9].

Potential Side Effects

Like all medications, Brentuximab Vedotin can cause side effects. Some of the most common include:

  • Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which can cause numbness or tingling in the hands and feet[2].
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Low blood cell counts, which can increase the risk of infection or bleeding[3].

Your healthcare team will monitor you closely for these and other potential side effects throughout your treatment. It’s important to report any new symptoms or changes in how you feel to your doctor promptly.

Trial Focus Key Findings Patient Population Dosing
Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome Testing lower doses for efficacy and reduced side effects Patients with relapsed/refractory disease 0.9 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg every 3 weeks
CD30-positive Non-lymphomatous Malignancies Evaluating antitumor activity in various cancers Patients with CD30+ solid tumors and leukemias 1.8 mg/kg, 2.4 mg/kg every 3 weeks, or 1.2 mg/kg weekly
EBV and CD30-positive Lymphomas Assessing efficacy in specific lymphoma subtypes Patients with relapsed/refractory disease 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks
Hodgkin Lymphoma Investigating as alternative to stem cell transplant Patients after first treatment failure 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks, up to 16 cycles
Germ Cell Tumors Evaluating activity in CD30+ germ cell cancers Patients with platinum-resistant disease 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks

FAQ

  • What is Brentuximab Vedotin? Brentuximab Vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets cancer cells expressing the CD30 protein. It consists of an anti-CD30 antibody linked to a cell-killing drug called monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE).
  • What types of cancers is Brentuximab Vedotin being studied for? Clinical trials are investigating Brentuximab Vedotin for various CD30-positive cancers, including Hodgkin lymphoma, T-cell lymphomas like mycosis fungoides and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, and germ cell tumors.
  • How is Brentuximab Vedotin administered in clinical trials? In most trials, Brentuximab Vedotin is given as an intravenous infusion, typically at a dose of 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Some trials are also studying different dosing schedules.
  • What are some of the main outcomes being measured in these trials? Key outcomes include overall response rate, complete response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Trials are also closely monitoring side effects and safety.
  • Are there any notable side effects of Brentuximab Vedotin? Common side effects being monitored include peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), myelosuppression (decreased blood cell production), and lung problems. The trials are carefully evaluating the safety profile of the drug.

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Brentuximab Vedotin

  • Study of pembrolizumab with drug combination for first-line treatment in patients with advanced-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma

    Recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Germany

  • Study on the Benefits of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma Using Etoposide and Drug Combination

    Recruiting

    1 1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    Belgium France

  • Phase III Trial Comparing ABVD vs A2VD Treatment With PET-Guided Radiation Therapy for Patients With Early Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma

    Recruiting

    1 1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Belgium Denmark Ireland The Netherlands Portugal Slovakia +1

  • Study of nivolumab plus drug combination versus standard first-line therapy in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma

    Not yet recruiting

    1 1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Poland

  • Study of brentuximab vedotin for maintenance therapy in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma after stem cell transplant

    Not yet recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    France

  • Study of Brentuximab Vedotin with Drug Combination for Untreated CD30-expressing Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma Patients

    Not yet recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Czechia

  • Study of Ruxolitinib with Brentuximab or Pembrolizumab for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Italy

  • Title: Comparing Brentuximab Vedotin plus ESHAP versus ESHAP alone in treating patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Austria Croatia Greece Spain

  • Study on Reducing Side Effects in Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma Using Brentuximab Vedotin and Drug Combination for Newly Diagnosed Patients

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Austria Denmark Germany The Netherlands Norway Sweden

  • Study of Brentuximab Vedotin Combined with R-DHAP Chemotherapy for Patients with Relapsed or Treatment-Resistant CD30-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Who Are Eligible for Stem Cell Transplant

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    Belgium The Netherlands Spain

Glossary

  • Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC): A type of targeted cancer therapy that combines a monoclonal antibody with a potent anti-cancer drug. The antibody helps deliver the drug directly to cancer cells.
  • CD30: A protein found on the surface of some cancer cells, particularly in certain lymphomas. It is the target for Brentuximab Vedotin.
  • Complete response (CR): The disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment.
  • Hodgkin lymphoma: A type of cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, affecting the lymphatic system.
  • Mycosis fungoides: The most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the skin.
  • Overall response rate (ORR): The percentage of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.
  • Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage that can cause numbness, tingling, or pain, often in the hands and feet.
  • Progression-free survival (PFS): The length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives without the cancer getting worse.
  • Relapsed/refractory: Cancer that has returned after treatment or does not respond to initial treatment.
  • T-cell lymphoma: A diverse group of cancers that develop from T-cells, a type of white blood cell.

References

  1. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01508312
  2. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02244021
  3. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05442554
  4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02388490
  5. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01851200
  6. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01461538
  7. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01868451
  8. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03474133
  9. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05243693