Adcetris (Brentuximab Vedotin) for Lymphoma

Overview
Adcetris is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several types of lymphoma, including classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides. Adcetris is approved for use in adults with previously untreated stage 3 or 4 cHL in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine, as well as for children (ages 2 and older) with high-risk cHL in combination with multiple chemotherapy agents. It is also indicated for adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, when combined with lenalidomide and a rituximab product. In most cases, Adcetris is used when other treatments have failed or as part of first-line therapy in high-risk individuals. Adcetris is also known by its drug name, brentuximab vedotin.

Adcetris is an antibody-drug conjugate, a type of immunotherapy. It consists of two components: brentuximab, a biologic drug that targets the CD30 protein on lymphoma cells, and vedotin, a potent anti-cancer drug. The combination works by delivering vedotin directly to CD30-expressing lymphoma cells, leading to their destruction.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Adcetris is administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes. The dosing schedule depends on the condition being treated. For most lymphoma types, it is given once every three weeks. In some cases, such as first-line treatment for stage 3 or 4 cHL, it is given every two weeks. The drug should be administered exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Adcetris include peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain, tingling, or numbness), nausea, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, upper respiratory tract infection, mucositis (painful inflammation of the digestive tract lining), abdominal pain, and rash. Laboratory abnormalities such as decreased neutrophils, increased creatinine, decreased hemoglobin, decreased lymphocytes, increased glucose, and elevated liver enzymes are also common.

Rare but serious side effects may include progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML, a fatal brain infection), severe infections, liver damage, lung toxicity, tumor lysis syndrome (a dangerous metabolic condition from rapid cancer cell death), severe hypersensitivity reactions, and serious skin conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Other serious risks include hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), and gastrointestinal complications. Adcetris can cause fetal harm and should not be used during pregnancy.

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Prescribing Information: Adcetris (Brentuximab Vedotin) — Pfizer