Brentuximab vedotin: delivering an antimitotic drug to activated lymphoma cells

Importance of the field: Patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders such as Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) commonly have a poor prognosis. Patients with these histologies who subsequently progress after salvage chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have very limited treatment options and are in need of novel effective therapies. Areas covered in this review: Based on the published literature and available abstracts, this review describes the development of a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate, brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), the preclinical activity of this agent in models of HL and ALCL, as well as the results of initial clinical trials. What the reader will gain: This review discusses the utility of using CD30 to target delivery of an antimitotic agent, the safety and activity of this approach, as well as potential future prospects and challenges in integrating this therapy into current treatment combinations. Take home message: In reviewing the initial results with brentuximab vedotin in relapsed HL and ALCL, brentuximab vedotin appears to be well tolerated and to have promising activity in CD30(+) lymphomas.