Lymphoma Drug Adcetris Tested in Newly Diagnosed Patients

With the August approval of Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) for Hodgkin lymphoma patients who have relapsed after stem cell transplantation or two lines of chemotherapy, researchers are now examining whether the drug will help newly diagnosed patients. Adcetris, an antibody-drug conjugate, combines a chemotherapy agent with an antibody that targets the CD30 receptor found on lymphoma cells.

Although early, results of a phase 1 study show Adcetris’ potential benefit with standard chemotherapy. The purpose of the trial was to determine the best dosing strategy and toxicity, not efficacy. Yet the first 15 of 44 patients evaluated in the trial had complete remissions. Side effects included neutropenia and anemia. A phase 3 study is in the works.