Role of Brentuximab vedotin along With Chemotherapy in Patients with CD30 Antigen Positive Aggressive Lymphomas: Single Centre Experience from a Developing Country

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of brentuximab vedotin in managing Hodgkin’s lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma in patients with histologically proven aggressive cluster of differentiation-30 antigen lymphoma on biopsy.

Method: The retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Karachi, and comprised data from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023, of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma who received brentuximab vedotin at 1.8mg/kg intravenous every three week along with chemotherapy. The assessment of the response was conducted using the Lugano criteria of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. The primary endpoint was overall response rate, which included complete metabolic response and partial metabolic response. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.

Results: Of the 24 patients with median age 24.50 years (Interquartile range: 18-32 years), 14(58.3%) were male, 10(41.7%) were females, 17(70.8%) had complete metabolic response, 6(25%) had progressive disease, 1(4.2%) had partial metabolic response, 5(20.8%) were given three cycles of brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine, and 3(12.5%) were treated with six cycles of brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine. Of the patients with complete metabolic response, autologous bone marrow transplant was done in 11(64.7%).

Conclusion: Brentuximab vedotin in combination with chemotherapy was found to be an effective and safe treatment option for cluster of differentiation-30 antigen positive lymphoproliferative disorders.

Key Words: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Brentuximab vedotin, Bendamustine.