Hodgkin lymphoma

Brentuximab Vedotin (Adcetris®)

Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody conjugate (an antibody with a cell-killing medication attached to it) directed against a protein called CD30, found on the surface of some lymphoma cells. Antibodies, which are normally found in the body, are developed by the immune system to destroy foreign material (such as a germ). Brentuximab vedotin is a manmade antibody that causes the immune system to attack lymphoma cells that have the CD30 protein on them. In addition, the drug has an agent attached to it that disrupts functions critical to cell growth and, in turn, causes cell death.