Brentuximab

Use

Brentuximab verdotin was approved by the U.S. FDA in August 2011 for treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) in patients who have failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or ASCT ineligible patients who have failed at least two prior chemotherapy regimens, and for second line treatment of systemic anaplastic large cell leukemia (ALCL). Brentuximab verdotin is a chimeric (mouse V region/human C region) CD30 binding monoclonal antibody (cAC10) that is conjugated via cysteine residues to a small molecule comprising a cysteine reactive dipeptide linker moiety and the microtubule polymerization inhibitor monomethyl auristatin E(MMAE). The antibody component of the drug binds to CD30 expressing tumor cells, and the active cytotoxic component, MMAE, is released by proteolytic cleavage of the dipeptide linker moiety.