Brentuximab vedotin
The ADC that made the modern field credible (2011), for Hodgkin lymphoma and CD30+ lymphomas.
Approved 2011 for relapsed Hodgkin and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma; first-line with AVD (ECHELON-1, OS benefit) and in paediatric Hodgkin. The vc-MMAE linker-payload it introduced was reused in enfortumab, polatuzumab, tisotumab, and disitamab vedotin.
1.Antibody binds CD30 on the tumour cell surface
- Route
- IV infusion
- Schedule
- 1.8 mg/kg (max 180 mg) every 3 weeks; 1.2 mg/kg (max 120 mg) every 2 weeks with AVD
- Dose modifications
- G-CSF prophylaxis mandatory with AVD; hold for grade 2 neuropathy; contraindicated with bleomycin
- Monitoring
- Neuropathy, blood counts, PML symptoms, LFTs
Source: US prescribing information (DailyMed). Doses are for orientation; the current label governs.
- Medicare
- Part B (clinician-administered)
Given by infusion or injection in a clinic or hospital outpatient department, so it is a Part B drug: Medicare pays 80% after the Part B deductible and the patient owes 20% coinsurance, uncapped in Original Medicare unless a Medigap policy applies. HCPCS J9042.
- Commercial insurance
- covered with prior authorisation
Covered under the medical benefit with prior authorisation confirming diagnosis, biomarker status and line of therapy; site-of-care policies may steer infusions away from hospital outpatient departments.
- Assistance programmes
- Seagen Secure (Pfizer)
- PAN Foundation — Disease-specific co-pay and premium funds; open and closed funds change monthly.
- HealthWell Foundation
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
- Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society financial support
20% Part B coinsurance on a high-cost infusion adds up quickly: Medigap Plan G or N, Medicare Advantage maximum out-of-pocket, Medicaid dual eligibility, or a charity fund are the usual buffers.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Chemotherapy · Medicare.gov: Prescription drugs (outpatient, Part B). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
- Appraised for
- CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous transplant or 2 prior therapies
- Notes
- Also systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (TA478) and CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (TA524).
- NHS England
- Routinely funded for the appraised indication (or via managed access)
Sources: NICE TA446 · SMC advice: brentuximab vedotin. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
- 19 Aug 2011ApprovalUS
Accelerated approval, relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic ALCL source
- 17 Aug 2015ApprovalUS
Post-transplant consolidation in Hodgkin lymphoma (AETHERA) source
- 20 Mar 2018ApprovalUS
First-line stage III/IV Hodgkin lymphoma with AVD (ECHELON-1) source
- 16 Nov 2018ApprovalUS
First-line CD30+ peripheral T-cell lymphoma with CHP (ECHELON-2) source
- 10 Nov 2022ApprovalUS
Paediatric high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma source
Approvals
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 2011 | Relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic ALCL |
| US | 2018 | First-line stage III/IV Hodgkin lymphoma with AVD |
| Adverse event | Any grade | Grade 3+ |
|---|---|---|
| Neutropenia | 91% | 82% |
| Peripheral sensory neuropathy | 65% | 10% |
| Constipation | 42% | 2% |
| Nausea | 40% | 2% |
| Vomiting | 33% | 3% |
| Febrile neutropenia | 19% | 19% |
ECHELON-1, A+AVD arm. Rates read from the US prescribing information. Blank cells mean the figure was not sourced, not that it is zero.
| Country | Reimbursement | List price | Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Medicare Part B (physician-administered); commercial plans per formulary | not disclosed | — |
| United Kingdom | NICE: recommended in CD30+ Hodgkin lymphoma settings (TA446, TA524) and first-line stage IV with AVD | not disclosed | — |
List prices are manufacturer or Medicare figures where publicly disclosed; net prices after rebates are usually lower. Reimbursement changes; check the payer.
Trials
topRecruiting now (live from ClinicalTrials.gov)
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S1826 moved checkpoint blockade into first-line Hodgkin lymphoma and made N-AVD a preferred regimen for advanced disease in patients from adolescence to older age, while removing radiotherapy for most. It also showed the value of a single trial spanning paediatric and adult groups. Longer follow-up is needed for overall survival and late immune effects in young patients.
ECHELON-1 made a targeted antibody-drug conjugate part of first-line Hodgkin therapy and eventually showed that this saves lives, not just relapses. It set the reference arm against which nivolumab-AVD (SWOG S1826) and BrECADD (HD21) were later compared. Neuropathy is the main price and needs proactive dose modification.
Latest papers
topQuery for this drug: (TITLE:"Brentuximab vedotin" OR ABSTRACT:"Brentuximab vedotin" OR TITLE:"Adcetris" OR ABSTRACT:"Adcetris") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Brentuximab vedotin, not a curated reading list.
Pages like this
not linked directly; found by shared links- TechnologyPET-adapted (response-adapted) therapy
Shares Caution: bleomycin lung toxicity, especially with brentuximab or G-CSF, AHOD2131 (COG / NCTN), GHSG HD21, Chemotherapy-free Hodgkin lymphoma: brentuximab + PD-1 in early stage.
- ProductDoxorubicin
Shares ECHELON-1, GHSG HD21, ABVD, BEACOPP and BrECADD (Hodgkin lymphoma regimens), SWOG S1826.
- ProductTisotumab vedotin
Shares mc-Val-Cit-PABC, MMAE, Tubulin inhibitor payloads, Pfizer (incl. Seagen).
- ProductTelisotuzumab vedotin
Shares mc-Val-Cit-PABC, MMAE, Tubulin inhibitor payloads, ADC roadmap: from Mylotarg to bispecific and dual-payload ADCs.
- ProductEnfortumab vedotin
Shares mc-Val-Cit-PABC, MMAE, Tubulin inhibitor payloads, Mitosis & the spindle assembly checkpoint.
- ProductDisitamab vedotin
Shares mc-Val-Cit-PABC, MMAE, Tubulin inhibitor payloads, Pfizer (incl. Seagen).
- ProductVinblastine
Shares ABVD, BEACOPP and BrECADD (Hodgkin lymphoma regimens), Mitosis & the spindle assembly checkpoint, Hodgkin lymphoma.
- TermBystander effect (ADC)
Shares mc-Val-Cit-PABC, MMAE, Tubulin inhibitor payloads, Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).