Brentuximab vedotin effective in large-cell lymphoma

(HealthDay) -- More than half of patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) treated with the CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin achieve a complete remission, according to the results of a phase II study published online May 21 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Barbara Pro, M.D., of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, and colleagues conducted a prospective study involving 58 patients with systemic ALCL and recurrent disease after at least one previous therapy. Participants received an outpatient infusion of brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg every three weeks. Overall objective response rate was the primary study end point.

The researchers found that 86, 57, and 29 percent of patients achieved an objective response, a complete remission (CR), and a partial remission, respectively. The median duration was 12.6 months for overall response and 13.2 months for CR. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and peripheral sensory neuropathy.

"Brentuximab vedotin induced objective responses in the majority of patients and CRs in more than half of patients with recurrent systemic ALCL," the authors write. "Targeted therapy with this CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate may be an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL and warrants further studies in front-line therapy."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to Seattle Genetics, which funded the study and manufactures brentuximab vedotin.

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