Brentuximab vedotin in patients aged 60 years or older with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphomas: a retrospective evaluation of safety and efficacy

Abstract

Older adults constitute a significant proportion of the cancer population, but are underrepresented in clinical trials. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the safety and efficacy of brentuximab vedotin in adults ≥ 60 years with relapsed CD30-positive lymphomas. Baseline characteristics and safety data were compared for older (median age 66) and younger patients (< 60 years, median age 32). Exposure to brentuximab vedotin was comparable. Older patients had more preexisting conditions (median 11 vs. 6) and were receiving more concomitant medications (median 7.5 vs. 4). Higher rates of anemia (30% vs. 10%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (60% vs. 46%), fatigue (58% vs. 43%) and adverse events ≥ grade 3 (70% vs. 56%) occurred in older patients. Objective response rates were 56% and 100% in older patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, respectively. With appropriate monitoring, brentuximab vedotin may represent a meaningful clinical option for older patients with relapsed CD30-positive lymphomas.

Keywords::

• Elderly
• lymphomas
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• T-cell lymphoma

Acknowledgements

Direct funding for the studies that are a part of this retrospective analysis was issued by Seattle Genetics, Inc. and supported by the joint financial resources of Seattle Genetics, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co. Supported in part by a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center-University of Washington Cancer Consortium Cancer Center Support Grant from the National Institutes of Health (P30 CA015704), a grant from the Life Sciences Discovery Fund of Washington State, The University of Washington Phase I Program, and by philanthropic gifts from Frank and Betty Vandermeer to Ajay K. Gopal. Ajay K. Gopal is a Scholar in Clinical Research for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Robert Chen is an NCI K12 career development award recipient. The authors wish to acknowledge Gordon Fancher and Yinghui Wang for statistical guidance and Christian Hesketh for assistance in manuscript preparation, as employees of Seattle Genetics, Inc.

Potential conflict of interest

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