A safety evaluation of brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Brentuximab vedotin is an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate approved for treating relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The pivotal trial demonstrated brentuximab vedotin’s efficacy and manageable toxicity profile with peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia being the most common side effects. The phase I study of brentuximab vedotin combined with ABVD or AVD revealed its contraindication with bleomycin due to pulmonary toxicity. As trials continue to investigate the drug in frontline and relapsed settings, emerging safety data will further define brentuximab vedotin’s role in managing Hodgkin lymphoma.

Areas covered: This article reviews the current literature on brentuximab vedotin in Hodgkin lymphoma treatment, both as a single agent and in combination regimens. The review focuses on safety findings from clinical trials, expected adverse events, and rare serious toxicities.

Expert opinion: Brentuximab vedotin is a breakthrough antibody-drug conjugate that may provide new options in earlier lines of therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. Results from the ongoing phase III trial comparing ABVD to AVD + brentuximab vedotin will inform whether brentuximab vedotin adds benefit to frontline therapy over the current standard of care. The optimal duration of treatment and brentuximab vedotin’s potential as an alternative to radiation in early stage disease still warrant investigation.

KEYWORDS:

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• brentuximab vedotin
• toxicity
• peripheral neuropathy

Declaration of interests

Support for N Bartlett’s work has been provided in part by the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. N Bartlett has acted on advisory board for and received research funding from Seattle Genetics and received research funding from Millennium. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed