Brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) for relapsed CD30-positive lymphomas

BACKGROUND: Hodgkin's lymphoma and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma are the two most common tumors expressing CD30. Previous attempts to target the CD30 antigen with monoclonal-based therapies have shown minimal activity. To enhance the antitumor activity of CD30-directed therapy, the antitubulin agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) was attached to a CD30-specific monoclonal antibody by an enzyme-cleavable linker, producing the antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35). METHODS: In this phase 1, open-label, multicenter dose-escalation study, we administered brentuximab vedotin (at a dose of 0.1 to 3.6 mg per kilogram of body weight) every 3 weeks to 45 patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive hematologic cancers, primarily Hodgkin's lymphoma and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Patients had received a median of three previous chemotherapy regimens (range, one to seven), and 73% had undergone autologous stem-cell transplantation. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose was 1.8 mg per kilogram, administered every 3 weeks. Objective responses, including 11 complete remissions, were observed in 17 patients. Of 12 patients who received the 1.8-mg-per-kilogram dose, 6 (50%) had an objective response. The median duration of response was at least 9.7 months. Tumor regression was observed in 36 of 42 patients who could be evaluated (86%). The most common adverse events were fatigue, pyrexia, diarrhea, nausea, neutropenia, and peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Brentuximab vedotin induced durable objective responses and resulted in tumor regression for most patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphomas in this phase 1 study. Treatment was associated primarily with grade 1 or 2 (mild-to-moderate) toxic effects. (Funded by Seattle Genetics; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00430846.)