How does Brentuximab Vedotin Work?
Brentuximab Vedotin works by targeting and binding to a protein known as CD30 on cancer cells. CD30 is a type of receptor that is overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells, specifically Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). Once the drug binds to CD30, it induces internalization, leading to the release of an anti-cancer agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), inside the cancer cells. MMAE then binds to a protein called tubulin, which is important for cell division, leading to cancer cell death.
Side Effects of Brentuximab Vedotin
Like any other medication, Brentuximab Vedotin also has some potential side effects. The most common side effects reported by patients who received the drug include peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, nausea, fever, and cough. However, these side effects are typically mild to moderate in severity and can be managed with proper medical care.
Studies on Brentuximab Vedotin in Combination Therapy
Researchers have also been investigating the potential of Brentuximab Vedotin in combination therapy. One such recent study explored whether combining Brentuximab Vedotin with a chemotherapy regimen known as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (CHP) can improve outcomes in untreated, advanced-stage HL patients.
The study found that adding Brentuximab Vedotin to the CHP regimen significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival compared to CHP alone. This suggests that Brentuximab Vedotin is a viable option for combination therapy in cancer treatment.
The Future of Brentuximab Vedotin in Cancer Treatment
Given the promising results of Brentuximab Vedotin in clinical trials and real-world applications, researchers are optimistic about the future of this drug in cancer treatment. Ongoing studies are investigating its potential as a treatment option for other cancers that overexpress CD30 receptors, such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
References
Ansell SM, Radford J, Connors JM, et al. Overall survival with brentuximab vedotin in stage III or IV Hodgkin's lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 2022; 387(4): 310- 320.
Connors, J.M.; Jurczak, W.; Straus, D.J.; Ansell, S.M.; Kim, W.S.; Gallamini, A.; Younes, A.; Alekseev, S.; Illés, Á.; Picardi, M.; et al. Brentuximab Vedotin with Chemotherapy for Stage III or IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. N. Engl. J. Med. 2018, 378, 331–344
Michelle A. Fanale, Steven M. Horwitz, Andres Forero-Torres, Nancy L. Bartlett, Ranjana H. Advani, Barbara Pro, Robert W. Chen, Andrew Davies, Tim Illidge, Mayur Uttarwar, Shih-Yuan Lee, Hong Ren, Dana A. Kennedy, Andrei R. Shustov; Five-year outcomes for frontline brentuximab vedotin with CHP for CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas. Blood 2018; 131 (19): 2120–2124.