Brentuximab vedotin for relapsed or refractory CD30+ Hodgkin lymphoma: a multicenter analysis from Asia

INTRODUCTION: Brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), an anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)-30 antibody conjugated to the anti-tubulin agent monomethyl auristatin E, has demonstrated promising efficacy and tolerability in relapsed and heavily treated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). In this study, we report the Asian experience with brentuximab vedotin in patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive (CD30+) HL. METHODS: This is an observational, multicenter, retrospective study. Between October 2011 and June 2013, a total of 22 patients were treated with brentuximab vedotin under a named patient program in Asia. Patients received a 30 min infusion of brentuximab vedotin at a dose of 1.8 mg/kg of body weight every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Four patients (18.2%) showed a complete response, and the overall response rate was 72.7%. The median duration of response was 4.4 months (range 1.0–17.4). The median progression-free survival was 5.7 months, and the median overall survival has not yet been reached. The 1-year expected survival rate was 67.2%. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (n=7; 31.8%). No patients experienced grade 3/4 sensory neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that brentuximab vedotin as a single agent is also effective and well tolerated when used in Asian patients with relapsed and refractory CD30+ HL.