Is brentuximab vedotin effective in Hodgkin lymphoma?

This trial examined the longer-term effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) after stem cell transplant in patients with relapsed or refractory (did not respond to treatment) Hodgkin lymphoma. The authors concluded that patients who respond to brentuximab vedotin can achieve long-term disease control.

Patients who have relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma are generally treated with further chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. 50% of patients, however, will see progression even after a transplant.

Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody and chemotherapy. It attaches to the CD30 (a protein) on the surface of cancer cells. This allows the chemotherapy to enter and kill the cancer cell. In one study, 75% of 102 patients treated with brentuximab vedotin saw a response to treatment (such as tumor shrinkage). 34% saw a complete remission (no sign of disease). Long-term effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin is still unclear.

The current study examined the long-term effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin. 102 patients were treated with brentuximab vedotin following relapse after a stem cell transplant. The treatment was reported to be effective in the short-term. Patients were then followed for an average of 3 years.

Average overall survival (time from treatment until death from any cause) was 40.5 months. Of the 38% of patients who achieved a complete remission, the 3-year overall survival was 73%.

Average progression-free survival (PFS; time from treatment until disease progression) was 9.3 months. In patients with a complete remission, 3-year PFS was 58%. 47% of patients were progression free at 53.3 months.

Younger age, good performance status (measure of patient functioning), and smaller tumors were factors associated with a longer overall survival. 

This study concluded that brentuximab vedotin can lead to long-term disease control in patients who respond to the treatment.

All patients in this trial were treated with brentuximab. Further studies are needed which directly compare this treatment to other options. This trial was funded by Seattle Genetics, the manufacturer of brentuximab vedotin.