(ChemotherapyAdvisor) – Targeted therapy with brentuximab vedotin may be an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and warrants further studies in front-line therapy, according to a multinational team of researchers. This conclusion is based on a study entitled “Brentuximab Vedotin (SGN-35) in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Systemic Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma: Results of a Phase II Study,” which was published online on May 21, 2012 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The investigators based this study on several lines of previously published evidence. First, ALCL, an aggressive subtype of T-cell lymphoma, is characterized by uniform expression of CD30. Second, CD30-positibe malignant cells are sensitive to delivery of the antimicrotubule agent monomethylauristatin E by the antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin. The investigators conducted this Phase 2 multicenter trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin in patients with relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL.
Patients with systemic ALCL and recurrent disease after at least one prior therapy received brentuximab vedotin 1.8mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks over 30 minutes as an outpatient infusion to a primary endpoint of overall objective response rate, the investigators noted.
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Of 58 patients treated in the study, 50 patients (86%) achieved an objective response, 33 patients (57%) achieved a complete remission (CR), and 17 patients (29%) achieved a partial remission. The median durations of overall response and CR were 12.6 and 13.2 months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events in ≥10% of patients were neutropenia (21%), thrombocytopenia (14%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (12%).
The investigators concluded that targeted therapy with brentuximab vedotin may be an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL and warrants further studies in front-line therapy.
