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CD30 antibody-drug conjugate (specialist)

Brentuximab vedotin

Brand names: Adcetris

Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate used in the treatment of CD30-positive lymphomas, including Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

An anti-CD30 antibody delivers the microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E into CD30-expressing cells, where it inhibits tubulin polymerisation and triggers cell death.

Prescribing in practice

  • Peripheral neuropathy, which is often cumulative and may be sensory or motor, is a key dose-limiting toxicity requiring dose modification or discontinuation.
  • It is a specialist haemato-oncology infusion; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and serious infusion reactions have been reported.
  • Severe myelosuppression, tumour lysis syndrome and pulmonary toxicity (particularly with bleomycin) may occur, and it must never be given intrathecally.

Monitoring

Monitor for peripheral neuropathy, full blood count, infusion reactions and new neurological symptoms throughout treatment.

Counselling the patient

  • Report numbness, tingling, weakness, new confusion, or signs of infection promptly.
  • Effective contraception is required during and for a period after treatment.
  • Attend all infusion and blood test appointments.

Evidence & guidelines

Its efficacy is supported by trials including ECHELON-1 in Hodgkin lymphoma and reflected in NICE technology appraisal guidance.

Reference: NICE TA446/TA478; BSH lymphoma; ESMO; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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