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Brentuximab vedotin
Source: Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: February 12, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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Context: Treatment of Recurrent Classic HL / Treatment Options for Recurrent Classic HL
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate directed against CD30.[15-17] CD30 is a target for therapy because it is expressed on malignant Reed-Sternberg cells of HL but has limited expression on normal cells. Brentuximab vedotin is well tolerated by patients and can be used to achieve a clinical complete response before autologous or allogeneic SCT.
Evidence (brentuximab vedotin):
In multiple trials for patients with relapsed disease, including one trial performed after allogeneic SCT, the following results were observed:
In multiple trials for patients with relapsed disease, including one trial performed after allogeneic SCT, the following results were observed:
For patients with relapsing disease, response rates were approximately 75%. Complete remission rates were approximately 50% and median PFS was 4 to 8 months.[15-19][Level of evidence C3]
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Twenty-seven previously untreated patients older than 60 years, judged by the investigator to be in poor condition and unable to undergo chemotherapy, received brentuximab vedotin.[20]
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Twenty-seven previously untreated patients older than 60 years, judged by the investigator to be in poor condition and unable to undergo chemotherapy, received brentuximab vedotin.[20]
A 92% overall response rate and 73% complete remission rate were reported.[20][Level of evidence C3]
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Retreatment with brentuximab vedotin was successful in patients with relapsed disease, with a response rate of 60%.[21][Level of evidence C3]
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For 329 patients at high risk of residual HL after SCT, the double-blind AETHERA trial (NCT01100502) evaluated brentuximab vedotin versus placebo.[22,23]
For 329 patients at high risk of residual HL after SCT, the double-blind AETHERA trial (NCT01100502) evaluated brentuximab vedotin versus placebo.[22,23]
With a median follow-up of 5.0 years, the 5-year PFS rate for brentuximab vedotin was 59% (95% CI, 51%–66%) versus 41% (95% CI, 33%–49%) for placebo (HR, 0.521; 95% CI, 0.379–0.717).[22,23][Level of evidence B1]
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For 329 patients at high risk of residual HL after SCT, the double-blind AETHERA trial (NCT01100502) evaluated brentuximab vedotin versus placebo.[22,23]
The 16-month treatment duration after transplant was not achieved by most patients because they developed progressive peripheral neuropathy, which was partially reversible after discontinuation of brentuximab vedotin.
In two phase I/II studies, 120 patients with relapsed or refractory HL received brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine.[24]
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In two phase I/II studies, 120 patients with relapsed or refractory HL received brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine.[24]
After two cycles, the objective response rates were 93% and 78%, and the complete remission rates were 74% and 32%.[24,25][Level of evidence C3]
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Studies cited in this source section
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice