Brentuximab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with CD30-positive haematologic malignancies and hepatic or renal impairment

Antibody drug conjugates: Design implications for clinicians

OBJECTIVE

There are currently 11 antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) that are FDA approved for use in oncologic disease states, with many more in the pipeline. The authors aim to review the pharmacokinetic profiles of the components of ADCs to engage pharmacist practitioners in practical considerations in the care of patients. This article provides an overview on the use of ADCs in the setting of organ dysfunction, drug-drug interactions, and management of on- and off-target adverse effects.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of the literature on ADCs through September 2023 was conducted. Clinical trials as well as articles on ADC design and functional components, adverse effects, and pharmacokinetics were reviewed. Reviewed literature included prescribing information as well as tertiary sources and primary literature.

DATA SUMMARY

A total of 11 ADCs were reviewed for the purpose of this article. A description of the mechanism of action and structure of ADCs is outlined, and a table containing description of each currently FDA-approved ADC is included. Various mechanisms of ADC toxicity are reviewed, including how ADC structure may be implicated.

CONCLUSION

It is imperative that pharmacist clinicians understand the design and function of each component of an ADC to continue to assess new approvals for use in oncology patients. Understanding the design of the ADC can help a pharmacy practitioner compare and contrast adverse effect profiles to support their multidisciplinary teams and to engage patients in education and management of their care.

Development of a generalized pharmacokinetic model to characterize clinical pharmacokinetics of monomethyl auristatin E-based antibody-drug conjugates

AIMS

This study aims to develop a generalized pharmacokinetic (PK) model for monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE)-based antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that can simultaneously capture the PK of multiple ADC analytes commonly measured in the clinic.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to collect PK data on MMAE-based ADCs from clinical trials. From each study, PK profiles of total antibody, the ADC, conjugated MMAE, and unconjugated MMAE, were extracted. These data were pooled and dose-normalized to evaluate the generalizability of PK across various ADCs and dose levels. Upon confirming PK generalizability, a generalized PK model for MMAE-based ADCs was developed using the entire dataset. Furthermore, exposure metrics (C max $$ {\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{max}} $$ and AUC) reported across the range of doses were combined to establish linear relationships between dose and exposure metrics for MMAE-based ADCs.

RESULTS

A total of 109 PK profiles from 18 distinct MMAE-based ADCs were gathered. The dose-normalized PK profiles supported the generalizability of PK for MMAE-based ADCs. A generalized PK model was developed, which enabled capturing the PK data for 4 ADC analytes across all collected MMAE-based ADCs. A linear relationship between dose and PK exposure metrics was established, enabling the prediction of typical exposure values across different doses for MMAE-based ADCs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study comprehensively analysed clinical PK data from different valine-citrulline (vc)-MMAE-based ADCs. The generalized PK model developed here serves as an important tool for a priori prediction of the PK for multiple ADC analytes in clinical settings and lays the foundation for establishing generalized exposure-response and exposure-toxicity correlations for MMAE-based ADCs.

Extravasation of brentuximab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate, in a patient with anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an antibody-drug conjugate, consisting of a CD30-directed antibody, conjugated by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent auristatin E (MMAE). Although the safety datasheet of BV does not warn of severe toxic effects of extravasation, we report a third case of a patient with anaplastic large cell lymphoma who developed severe epidermal necrosis after extravasation. The reason for what happened could be attributed to the fact that MMAE belongs to the group of vinca alkaloids so it should be handled like other tissue-necrotising chemotherapeutics. Reporting of all cases of extravasation involving new conjugated chemotherapeutic drugs is of the utmost importance to be able to develop updated guidelines. Hospital pharmacists can provide information on how to manage extravasation, assess the potential risk, and have a crucial role in drafting hospital protocols.

Polatuzumab vedotin pharmacokinetics in a hemodialysis patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

PURPOSE

Chemotherapy for the hemodialysis (HD) patient is a challenging situation because it requires special considerations including dose modifications and timing of drug administration in relation with HD sessions. Polaltuzumab vedotin (PV), an antibody-drug conjugate in which monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) is linked to an anti-CD79b monoclonal antibody, is an extremely promising therapeutic for treating diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but the pharmacokinetics are unknown in HD patients.

METHODS

We carried out pharmacokinetic studies of PV when administered at 1.2 mg/kg to a DLBCL patient on HD, and compared the results with that of non-HD patients. PV was administered in conjunction with bendamustine and rituximab.

RESULTS

Serum concentration-time curves of both antibodyconjugated and unconjugated MMAE in the presented HD patient were similar compared to that of non-HD patients. We also demonstrate that elimination of both antibody-conjugated and unconjugated MMAE through HD is limited. PV administration at 1.2 mg/kg to an HD patient was also clinically feasible, and no signs of peripheral neuropathy were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

PV therapy may be a relatively safe treatment method for DLBCL patients on HD.

Diminazene aceturate-induced cytotoxicity is associated with the deregulation of cell cycle signaling and downregulation of oncogenes Furin, c-MYC, and FOXM1 in human cervical carcinoma Hela cells

Diminazene aceturate (DIZE) is an FDA-listed small molecule known for the treatment of African sleeping sickness. In vivo studies showed that DIZE may be beneficial for a range of human ailments. However, there is very limited information on the effects of DIZE on human cancer cells. The current study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic responses of DIZE, using the human carcinoma Hela cell line. WST-1 cell proliferation assay showed that DIZE inhibited the viability of Hela cells in a dose-dependent manner and the observed response was associated with the downregulation of Ki67 and PCNA cell proliferation markers. DIZE-treated cells stained with acridine orange-ethidium and JC-10 dye revealed cell death and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm), compared with DMSO (vehicle) control, respectively. Cellular immunofluorescence staining of DIZE-treated cells showed upregulation of caspase 3 activities. DIZE-treated cells showed downregulation of mRNA for G1/S genes CCNA2 and CDC25A, S-phase genes MCM3 and PLK4, and G2/S phase transition/mitosis genes Aurka and PLK1. These effects were associated with decreased mRNA expression of Furin, c-Myc, and FOXM1 oncogenes. These results suggested that DIZE may be considered for its effects on other cancer types. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of DIZE on human cervical cancer cells.

A multi-center and non-interventional registry of brentuximab vedotin in patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphoma: the CISL1803/BRAVO study

Background

Brentuximab vedotin (BV), a potent antibody-drug conjugate, targets the CD30 antigen. In Korea, BV has been approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, including mycosis fungoides (MF). However, there are limited data reflecting real-world experiences with BV treatment for HL, ALCL, and MF.

Methods

This was a multicenter, non-interventional registry study of the efficacy and safety of BV in patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphoma (CISL1803/BRAVO). Outcomes were determined based on the occurrence of relapse or progression and overall survival after BV treatment.

Results

A total of 85 patients were enrolled in this study. The median number of BV cycles was 10 (range, 2‒16) in the patients with HL. The objective response rate (ORR) of patients with HL to BV was 85.4% (41/48), comprising 27 complete responses (CRs) and 14 partial responses (PRs). The ORR of ALCL was 88% (22/25), consisting of 17 CRs and five PRs, whereas the ORR of MF was 92% (11/12). At the median follow-up of 44.6 months after BV treatment, the median post-BV progression-free survival of HL, ALCL, and MF patients was 23.6 months, 29.0 months, and 16.7 months, respectively (P=0.641). The most common side effect of BV was peripheral neuropathy; 22 patients (25.9%, 22/85) experienced peripheral neuropathy (all grades).

Conclusion

The treatment outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphoma improved with BV treatment, and the safety profile was manageable.

[Antibody drug conjugates (ADC) and bispecific antibodies in oncology - report of the 2022 Saint Louis day]

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) and bispecific antibodies are booming and were the subject of the scientific event proposed by the French Society of Oncological Pharmacy, October 13, 2022. An ADC is composed of the antibody targeting a receptor expressed on the tumor cell, the spacer making it possible to attach the cytotoxic to the antibody and to control its distribution in the body, and the cytotoxic. Therapeutic antibodies, monoclonal and conjugated, have particular pharmacokinetics. Unlike monoclonal antibodies for which the standard dose is most often fixed, this is expressed in mg/m2 (or mg/kg) and capped at 2m2 (or 100kg) for conjugates. The linked cytotoxics are powerful cytotoxics: mitotic spindle poisons (emtansine, monomethyl auristatin E or vedotin), topoisomerase I inhibitors (deruxtecan, SN 38) or antibiotics (ozogamicin). In senology, trastuzumab deruxtecan (anti-HER2) and sacituzumab govitecan (anti-Trop 2) are now modifying treatment standards for patients with metastatic breast cancer, respectively HER2 3X or HER2 low and triple negative. In metastatic bladder cancer, enfortumab vedotin (anti-nectin 4) is positioned as the 2nd line of treatment. Bispecific antibodies, on the other hand, are able to target two epitopes, an antigen specific to a tumor cell and one to an immune cell, allowing a bridge between the killer immune cells and the tumor cells. For lymphoma proliferation, many bispecific antibodies are in development. The most advanced are glofitamab, epcoritamab and mosunetuzumab, which target the CD20 of B lymphocytes and the CD3 of T lymphocytes. Bispecific antibodies are also emerging in the treatment of myeloma with teclistamab and elranatamab (anti-CD3 and anti-BCMA) or talquetamab (anti-GPRC5D and anti-CD3). Conjugated antibodies, and more recently bispecific antibodies, are potential game changers in cancer treatment and researchs are needed to improve their efficacy and safety.

Chapter 2:indications and dosing of anticancer drug therapy in patients with impaired kidney function, from clinical practice guidelines for the management of kidney injury during anticancer drug therapy 2022

This comprehensive review discusses the dosing strategies of cancer treatment drugs for patients with impaired kidney function, specifically those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), undergoing hemodialysis, and kidney transplant recipients. CKD patients often necessitate dose adjustments of chemotherapeutic agents, e.g., platinum preparations, pyrimidine fluoride antimetabolites, antifolate agents, molecularly targeted agents, and bone-modifying agents, to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity due to diminished renal clearance of the administered drugs and their metabolites. In hemodialysis patients, factors such as drug removal from hemodialysis and altered pharmacokinetics demand careful optimization of anticancer drug therapy, including dose adjustment and timing of administration. While free cisplatin is removed by hemodialysis, most of the tissue- and protein-bound cisplatin remains in the body and rebound cisplatin elevations are observed after hemodialysis. It is not recommended hemodialysis for drug removal, regardless of timing. Kidney transplant patients encounter unique challenges in cancer treatment, as maintaining the balance between reduction of immunosuppression, switching to mTOR inhibitors, and considering potential drug interactions with chemotherapeutic agents and immunosuppressants are crucial for preventing graft rejection and achieving optimal oncologic outcomes. The review underscores the importance of personalized, patient-centric approaches to anticancer drug therapy in patients with impaired kidney function.

Impact of Organ Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics of Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins

The kidneys and liver are major organs involved in eliminating small-molecule drugs from the body. Characterization of the effects of renal impairment (RI) and hepatic impairment (HI) on pharmacokinetics (PK) have informed dosing in patients with these organ impairments. However, the knowledge about the impact of organ impairment on therapeutic peptides and proteins is still evolving. In this study, we reviewed how often therapeutic peptides and proteins were assessed for the effect of RI and HI on PK, the findings, and the resulting labeling recommendations. RI effects were reported in labeling for 30 (57%) peptides and 98 (39%) proteins and HI effects for 20 (38%) peptides and 55 (22%) proteins. Dose adjustments were recommended for RI in 11 of the 30 (37%) peptides and 10 of the 98 (10%) proteins and for HI in 7 of the 20 (35%) peptides and 3 of the 55 (5%) proteins. Additional actionable labeling includes risk mitigation strategies; for example, some product labels have recommended avoid use or monitor toxicities in patients with HI. Over time, there is an increasing structural diversity of therapeutic peptides and proteins, including the use of non-natural amino acids and conjugation technologies, which suggests a potential need for reassessing the need to evaluate the effect of RI and HI. Herein, we discuss scientific considerations for weighing the risk of PK alteration due to RI or HI for peptide and protein products. We briefly discuss other organs that may affect the PK of peptides and proteins administered via other delivery routes.

Complete Response to Enfortumab Vedotin in a Hemodialysis Patient with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Case Report

Enfortumab vedotin (EV) is an antibody-drug conjugate and a promising agent for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). However, evaluations in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis are unreported. Here, we report such a case. A 74-year-old woman with mUC, on hemodialysis for complete urinary tract extirpation, was diagnosed with multiple pulmonary metastases after treatment with gemcitabine-carboplatin followed by pembrolizumab. As third-line therapy, she received a standard dose of EV. She achieved complete response after 2 cycles without grade 3 or higher adverse events, demonstrating the utility of EV in this setting.

Hodgkin Lymphoma on Hemodialysis: A Review of Treatment and Recommendations

Chemotherapy for classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) patients on hemodialysis (HD) is an extremely challenging situation because pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of most chemotherapeutics are lacking for the HD patient, and the small amount of evidence available comes mostly from case reports and small case series. In this review, we provide recommendations based on treatment experience of cHL patients on HD in the literature. HD patients undergoing chemotherapy are at risk of overdose and toxicities because many drugs are significantly eliminated by the kidneys, and at the same time, are at risk of undertreatment because many drugs are removed by HD. Therefore, dose modifications and timing of drug administration in relation to HD sessions must be carefully planned according to the distinct traits of each chemotherapeutic. We carried out an exhaustive literature review of reports of actual administrations of chemotherapeutics to cHL on HD, and also extrapolated data from reports of the same chemotherapeutics that were administered to HD patients with malignancies other than cHL. We summarized the information found in the literature, and provide practical and balanced recommendations concerning dose modifications and optimal timing of drug administration in relation to HD sessions for each chemotherapeutic. Chemotherapy regimens and individual chemotherapeutics studied in this review include ABVD (doxorubicin + bleomycin + vinblastine + dacarbazine), BEACOPP (bleomycin + etoposide + doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide + vincristine + procarbazine + prednisolone), MOPP (mechlorethamine + vincristine + procarbazine + prednisolone), gemcitabine, vinorelbine, brentuximab vedotin, and PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab and pembrolizumab).

Administration of brentuximab vedotin to a Hodgkin lymphoma patient with liver dysfunction due to vanishing bile duct syndrome resulting in a partial response without any severe adverse events

Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) is a rare hepatic disorder which leads to liver failure as a result of progressive destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. There are no treatment modalities for VBDS itself and severe hepatic dysfunction restricts the treatment of underlying diseases. We safely treated a case of classic Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) with VBDS using brentuximab vedotin (BV). The patient was treated with 5 cycles of reduced BV and a partial metabolic response was obtained. Moreover, a standard dose of BV for another 5 cycles was accomplished with minimal adverse events. Our experience indicates that BV could be a treatment option for classic HL with VBDS.

Recent Advances in Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Prediction of Therapeutic Antibodies Using Modeling and Simulation

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been a promising therapeutic approach for several diseases and a wide variety of mAbs are being evaluated in clinical trials. To accelerate clinical development and improve the probability of success, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PKPD) in humans must be predicted before clinical trials can begin. Traditionally, empirical-approach-based PKPD prediction has been applied for a long time. Recently, modeling and simulation (M&S) methods have also become valuable for quantitatively predicting PKPD in humans. Although several models (e.g., the compartment model, Michaelis–Menten model, target-mediated drug disposition model, and physiologically based pharmacokinetic model) have been established and used to predict the PKPD of mAbs in humans, more complex mechanistic models, such as the quantitative systemics pharmacology model, have been recently developed. This review summarizes the recent advances and future direction of M&S-based approaches to the quantitative prediction of human PKPD for mAbs.

Antibody-drug conjugates: Resurgent anticancer agents with multi-targeted therapeutic potential

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) constitute a relatively new group of anticancer agents, whose first appearance took place about two decades ago, but a renewed interest occurred in recent years, following the success of anti-cancer immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies. Indeed, an ADC combines the selectivity of a monoclonal antibody with the cell killing properties of a chemotherapeutic agent (payload), joined together through an appropriate linker. The antibody moiety targets a specific cell surface antigen expressed by tumor cells and/or cells of the tumor microenvironment and acts as a carrier that delivers the cytotoxic payload within the tumor mass. Despite advantages in terms of selectivity and potency, the development of ADCs is not devoid of challenges, due to: i) low tumor selectivity when the target antigens are not exclusively expressed by cancer cells; ii) premature release of the cytotoxic drug into the bloodstream as a consequence of linker instability; iii) development of tumor resistance mechanisms to the payload. All these factors may result in lack of efficacy and/or in no safety improvement compared to unconjugated cytotoxic agents. Nevertheless, the development of antibodies engineered to remain inert until activated in the tumor (e.g., antibodies activated proteolytically after internalization or by the acidic conditions of the tumor microenvironment) together with the discovery of innovative targets and cytotoxic or immunomodulatory payloads, have allowed the design of next-generation ADCs that are expected to possess improved therapeutic properties. This review provides an overview of approved ADCs, with related advantages and limitations, and of novel targets exploited by ADCs that are presently under clinical investigation.

Analysis of US Food and Drug Administration Oncology Approvals on the Characterization of Hepatic Impairment Effect and Dosing Recommendations

Patients with cancer and advanced hepatic impairment (HI) (i.e., moderate and severe impairment) are often excluded from first-in-patient, phase II, and phase III studies. Thus, dose recommendations for this subgroup of patients are often derived using a combination of dedicated phase I studies conducted in participants without cancer and a population pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling approach. A standardized risk-based approach to guide the evaluation of HI in patients with cancer is needed. In this review, we evaluated available oncology drug approvals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 1999 to 2019, identified strategies utilized by sponsors to characterize the effect of HI on the PK of oncology drugs, and assessed regulatory expectations for each strategy. Finally, we constructed a decision tree that complements current FDA guidance to enable efficient evaluation of the effect of HI on PK and provide guidance for dose recommendations.

Effect of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors on the Pharmacokinetics of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are complex molecules wherein a monoclonal antibody is linked to a biologically active drug (a small molecule), forming a conjugate. Initially, most of the ADCs were developed and are being developed for the treatment of cancer; however, with time, it has been realized that ADCs can also be developed to manage or cure other diseases. Pharmacokinetics (PK) plays an important role in modern-day drug development and the knowledge of PK is crucial in designing a safe and efficacious dose to treat a wide variety of diseases. There are several factors that can alter the PK of a drug; as a result, one has to adjust the dose in a patient population. These factors can be termed ‘intrinsic’ or ‘extrinsic’. For small molecules, the impact of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors is well established. The impact of age, gender, disease states such as renal and hepatic impairment, drug–drug interaction, food, and in many cases alcohol on the PK of small molecules are well known. On the other hand, for macromolecules, the impact of these factors is not well established. Since the ADCs are a combination product of a monoclonal antibody linked to a small molecule, both the small molecule and the monoclonal antibody of the ADCs may be subjected to many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This review summarizes the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the PK of ADCs and the payloads.

Therapeutic Potential of Antibody-Drug Conjugate-Based Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are designed to deliver potent cytotoxic agents into tumor tissues. During the last two decades, a plethora of ADCs have been successfully developed and used for several indications, including hematologic and solid tumors. In this work, we systematically reviewed the progress in ADC development for the treatment of HNC.

METHODS

This review was registered in PROSPERO database. A comprehensive search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science database.

RESULTS

In total, 19 studies were included. Due to the significant heterogeneity of the outcome measures, meta-analysis was not performed, and data were summarized in tables. HNC results are poorly represented in the cohorts of completed clinical trials; published data are mostly focused on safety evaluation rather than efficacy of ADCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Although several novel agents against a wide range of different antigens were investigated, showing promising results at a preclinical level, most of the targets reported in this review are not specific for HNC; hence, the development of ADCs tailored for the HNC phenotype could open up new therapeutic perspectives. Moreover, the results from the present systematic review call attention to how limited is the application of current clinical trials in HNC.

Chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the hemodialysis patient: A comprehensive review

Chemotherapy for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the hemodialysis (HD) patient is a challenging situation. Because many drugs are predominantly eliminated by the kidneys, chemotherapy in the HD patient requires special considerations concerning dose adjustments to avoid overdose and toxicities. Conversely, some drugs are removed by HD and may expose the patient to undertreatment, therefore the timing of drug administration in relation to HD sessions must be carefully planned. Also, the metabolites of some drugs show different toxicities and dialysability as compared with the parent drug, therefore this must also be catered for. However, the pharmacokinetics of many chemotherapeutics and their metabolites in HD patients are unknown, and the fact that NHL patients are often treated with distinct multiagent chemotherapy regimens makes the situation more complicated. In a realm where uncertainty prevails, case reports and case series reporting on actual treatment and outcomes are extremely valuable and can aid physicians in decision making from drug selection to dosing. We carried out an exhaustive review of the literature and adopted 48 manuscripts consisting of 66 HD patients undergoing 71 chemotherapy regimens for NHL, summarized the data, and provide recommendations concerning dose adjustments and timing of administration for individual chemotherapeutics where possible. The chemotherapy regimens studied in this review include, but are not limited to, rituximab, cyclophosphamide + vincristine + prednisolone (CVP) and cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vincristine + prednisolone (CHOP)‐like regimens, chlorambucil, ibrutinib, bendamustine, methotrexate, platinum compounds, cytarabine, gemcitabine, etoposide, ifosfamide, melphalan, busulfan, fludarabine, mogamulizumab, brentuximab vedotin, and ⁹⁰Y‐ibritumomab tiuxetan.

Clinical pharmacology strategies in supporting drug development and approval of antibody-drug conjugates in oncology

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are important molecular entities in the treatment of cancer. These conjugates combine the target specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potent anti-cancer activity of small-molecule therapeutics. The complex structure of ADCs poses unique challenges to characterize the drug’s pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs) since it requires a quantitative understanding of the PK and PD properties of multiple different molecular species (e.g., ADC conjugate, total antibody and unconjugated cytotoxic drug). As a result, clinical pharmacology strategy of an ADC is rather unique and dependent on the linker/cytotoxic drug technology, heterogeneity of the ADC, PK and safety/efficacy profile of the specific ADC in clinical development. In this review, we summarize the clinical pharmacology strategies in supporting development and approval of ADCs using the approved ADCs as specific examples to illustrate the customized approach to clinical pharmacology assessments in their clinical development.

Management of ALCL and other CD30+ peripheral T-cell lymphomas with a focus on Brentuximab vedotin

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are rare lymphoproliferative disorders with poor outcomes and high rates of relapse. Incidence varies although the most common subtypes include PTCL-not-otherwise specified, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma is characterized by near-universal CD30 expression and serves as a prototypic model for other CD30-expressing lymphomas. Historically, these neoplasms have been treated with regimens used in the treatment of aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Over the last decade, brentuximab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate, has been investigated to treat peripheral T-cell lymphomas expressing CD30. While first studied in the relapsed and refractory setting, it was later studied in the frontline setting in the ECHELON-2 trial with positive results and is now an approved treatment for CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas. Other treatment options in the relapsed and refractory setting include histone deacetylase inhibitors, pralatrexate, and salvage multiagent chemotherapy regimens. Current research is underway regarding combination therapies and the use of other novel agents.

Application of a Two-Analyte Integrated Population Pharmacokinetic Model to Evaluate the Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors on the Pharmacokinetics of Polatuzumab Vedotin in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

PURPOSE

The established two-analyte integrated population pharmacokinetic model was applied to assess the impact of intrinsic/extrinsic factors on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of polatuzumab vedotin (pola) in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) following bodyweight-based dosing.

METHODS

Model simulations based on individual empirical Bayes estimates were used to evaluate the impact of intrinsic/extrinsic factors as patient subgroups on Cycle 6 exposures. Intrinsic factors included bodyweight, age, sex, hepatic and renal functions. Extrinsic factors included rituximab/obinutuzumab or bendamustine combination with pola and manufacturing process. The predicted impact on exposures along with the established exposure-response relationships were used to assess clinical relevance.

RESULTS

No clinically meaningful differences in Cycle 6 pola exposures were found for the following subgroups: bodyweight 100-146 kg versus 38-<100 kg, age ≥ 65 years versus <65 years, female versus male, mild hepatic impairment versus normal, mild-to-moderate renal impairment versus normal. Co-administration of rituximab/obinutuzumab or bendamustine, and change in the pola manufacturing process, also had no meaningful impact on PK.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with NHL, bodyweight-based dosing is adequate, and no further dose adjustment is recommended for the heavier subgroup (100-146 kg). In addition, no dose adjustments are recommended for other subgroups based on intrinsic/extrinsic factors evaluated.

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM) have improved dramatically in the last two decades with the advent of novel therapies including immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. In recent years, immunotherapy for the treatment of MM has advanced rapidly, with the approval of new targeted agents and monoclonal antibodies directed against myeloma cell-surface antigens, as well as maturing data from late stage trials of chimeric antigen receptor CAR T cells. Therapies that engage the immune system to treat myeloma offer significant clinical benefits with durable responses and manageable toxicity profiles, however, the appropriate use of these immunotherapy agents can present unique challenges for practicing physicians. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer convened an expert panel, which met to consider the current role of approved and emerging immunotherapy agents in MM and provide guidance to the oncology community by developing consensus recommendations. As immunotherapy evolves as a therapeutic option for the treatment of MM, these guidelines will be updated.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Brentuximab Vedotin in Adult and Pediatric Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Hematologic Malignancies: Model-Informed Hypothesis Generation for Pediatric Dosing Regimens

Prior pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses of the antibody‐drug conjugate (ADC) brentuximab vedotin (1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks) in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies found that patients aged <12 years exhibited decreased ADC area under the curve (AUC) compared with those aged ≥12 years. This population PK (POPPK) analysis used data from pediatric (NCT01492088) and adult (NCT00430846) studies of brentuximab vedotin to quantify body size effects on ADC exposure. Data were collected from 84 patients with a median age of 25.7 years (range, 7.7‐87.3 years), 34 of whom (40.5%) were aged <18 years; median patient weight was 67 kg (range, 21‐154 kg), and median body surface area was 1.8 m² (range, 0.87‐2.81 m²). ADC PK was described by a linear 3‐compartment model with zero‐order input and first‐order elimination. POPPK modeling indicated that dosing brentuximab vedotin at 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks or 1.2 mg/kg every 2 weeks resulted in lower ADC AUC values in small/moderate‐sized pediatric patients (<28 kg and 28‐49 kg, respectively) compared with large pediatric/adult patients (50‐100 kg). Dosing at 71.5 mg/m² every 3 weeks and 47.7 mg/m² every 2 weeks was predicted to achieve comparable AUC values across all body weight ranges and a similar AUC to that in the 50‐ to 100‐kg group at the standard doses of 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks and 1.2 mg/kg every 2 weeks, respectively. These results have generated a hypothesis to support evaluation of brentuximab vedotin at 48 mg/m² every 2 weeks in combination with adriamycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy in an ongoing pediatric trial in frontline Hodgkin lymphoma (NCT02979522).

Dose recommendations for anticancer drugs in patients with renal or hepatic impairment

Renal or hepatic impairment is a common comorbidity for patients with cancer either because of the disease itself, toxicity of previous anticancer treatments, or because of other factors affecting organ function, such as increased age. Because renal and hepatic function are among the main determinants of drug exposure, the pharmacokinetic profile might be altered for patients with cancer who have renal or hepatic impairment, necessitating dose adjustments. Most anticancer drugs are dosed near their maximum tolerated dose and are characterised by a narrow therapeutic index. Consequently, selecting an adequate dose for patients who have either hepatic or renal impairment, or both, is challenging and definitive recommendations on dose adjustments are scarce. In this Review, we discuss the effect of renal and hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs. To guide clinicians in selecting appropriate dose adjustments, information from available drug labels and from the published literature were combined to provide a practical set of recommendations for dose adjustments of 160 anticancer drugs for patients with hepatic and renal impairment.

Safety and efficacy of CDX-014, an antibody-drug conjugate directed against T cell immunoglobulin mucin-1 in advanced renal cell carcinoma

CDX-014 is an antibody-drug conjugate directed against TIM-1, a surface marker highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and ovarian carcinoma. This phase I, first-in-human trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and preliminary activity of CDX-014 in patients with advanced refractory RCC, following a dose-escalation and dose expansion design. CDX-014 was administered intravenously at doses ranging from 0.15 to 2.0 mg/kg every 2 or 3 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Sixteen patients received at least one dose of CDX-014. The maximum tolerated dose was not identified. Most frequent adverse grade 1 or 2 adverse events included nausea (38%), fatigue, alopecia, elevation of AST and decreased appetite (25% each). Adverse events of grade 3 or more included hyperglycemia (19%), urosepsis (6%), and one multi-organ failure (6%) responsible for one treatment-related death. Two patients discontinued therapy for adverse events including fatigue grade 2 and urosepsis grade 4. CDX-014 showed antitumor activity with one prolonged partial response and a clinical benefit rate (objective response or stable disease >6 months) of 31%. The two patients that exhibited the most marked tumor shrinkage had high TIM-1 expression on tumor tissue. Overall, CDX-014 exhibited a manageable toxicity profile and early signs of activity, supporting further evaluation of antibody-drug conjugates in patients with advanced RCC and potentially other TIM-1 expressing cancers. Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02837991 NCT02837991; July 20, 2016.

Does Hepatic Impairment Affect the Exposure of Monoclonal Antibodies?

Limited information is available regarding the effect of hepatic impairment (HI) on the pharmacokinetics of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The results of an earlier report based on therapeutic proteins, including mAbs, approved through the end of 2012 were inconclusive due to limited HI data available at that time. New HI data for mAbs or antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs; with a focus on the mAb component) available between 2013 and 2018 were evaluated. The investigation indicates there is almost no data for severe HI, limited data for moderate HI, and abundant data for mild HI. A significant exposure decrease was found for several mAbs or ADCs and a trend for decreasing area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was observed for other mAbs. Multiple potential mechanisms may contribute to the exposure decrease. Dose may need to be adjusted for patients with HI, after taking into account the exposure-response relationships for both efficacy and safety.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates: Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling, Preclinical Characterization, Clinical Studies, and Lessons Learned

Antibody-drug conjugates are an emerging class of biopharmaceuticals changing the landscape of targeted chemotherapy. These conjugates combine the target specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the anti-cancer activity of small-molecule therapeutics. Several antibody-drug conjugates have received approval for the treatment of various types of cancer including gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg^®), brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris^®), trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla^®), and inotuzumab ozogamicin, which recently received approval (Besponsa^®). In addition to these approved therapies, there are many antibody-drug conjugates in the drug development pipeline and in clinical trials, although these fall outside the scope of this article. Understanding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antibody-drug conjugates and the development of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models is indispensable, albeit challenging as there are many parameters to incorporate including the disposition of the intact antibody-drug conjugate complex, the antibody, and the drug agents following their dissociation in the body. In this review, we discuss how antibody-drug conjugates progressed over time, the challenges in their development, and how our understanding of their pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics led to greater strides towards successful targeted therapy programs.

Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Exposure-Response Assessment for the Antibody-Drug Conjugate Brentuximab Vedotin in Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the Phase III ECHELON-1 Study

The efficacy of the CD30‐directed antibody‐drug conjugate (ADC) brentuximab vedotin was established in combination with chemotherapy as frontline treatment for advanced classical Hodgkin's lymphoma in the randomized phase III ECHELON‐1 study. Population pharmacokinetic (PK) and exposure–response models were developed to quantify sources of PK variability and relationships between exposure and safety/efficacy end points in ECHELON‐1. The influence of patient‐specific factors on the PK of the ADC and the microtubule‐disrupting payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) was investigated; none of the significant covariates had a clinically relevant impact. Exposure–response analyses evaluated relationships between time‐averaged area under the curve (AUC; ADC, MMAE) and efficacy end points (ADC) or safety parameters (ADC, MMAE). Exposure–efficacy analyses supported consistent treatment benefit with brentuximab vedotin across observed exposure ranges. Exposure‐safety analyses supported the recommended brentuximab vedotin starting dose (1.2 mg/kg every 2 weeks), and effective management of peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia with dose modification/reduction and febrile neutropenia with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor primary prophylaxis.

Safety and Tolerability of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Cancer

Antibody-drug conjugates are monoclonal antibodies attached to biologically active drugs through chemical linkers that deliver and release cytotoxic agents at the tumor site, reducing the likelihood of systemic exposure and therefore toxicity. Currently, there are about 110 ongoing studies implementing antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of multiple human malignancies. Antibody-drug conjugates carry a feature of the specificity of a monoclonal antibody and the anti-neoplastic potential of a cytotoxin. The first antibody-drug conjugate was approved in 2001, and the field of antibody-drug conjugates has expanded since then with three more antibody-drug conjugates being added to the market. The complex structure of the antibody-drug conjugate poses a challenge in designing a clinically adequate molecule. Antibody-drug conjugates are usually well tolerated with some predictable adverse reactions, as well as new medical issues, that need careful approach. This review provides an outline of the current status of the efficacy and safety of antibody-drug conjugates in malignant diseases.

Brentuximab Vedotin: A Nursing Perspective on Best Practices and Management of Associated Adverse Events

BACKGROUND

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets CD30-expressing cells.

OBJECTIVES

This article assesses the occurrence and management of the most frequent and clinically relevant BV-associated adverse events (AEs), with a focus on Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma trials, and shares practical tips that may help decrease occurrence and severity.

METHODS

Peer-reviewed literature was surveyed to collect safety data from sponsored clinical trials of BV and to compile associated management guidelines.

FINDINGS

Peripheral neuropathy was the most common BV-associated AE across clinical trials. Other clinically relevant AEs included neutropenia, infection, and infusion-related reactions. Awareness of and preparedness for these common BV-associated AEs and other less common but significant AEs will help nurse clinicians and patients maximize the clinical benefit for patients receiving BV.

A Novel Antibody-Toxin Conjugate to Treat Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Matriptase is a transmembrane serine protease, synthesized as an inactive single-chain zymogen on the endoplasmic reticulum and transported to the plasma membrane. Matriptase is activated in different epithelial and some B-cell malignancies and changes its conformation and activity is inhibited mainly by its endogenous inhibitor HAI-1. Activated matriptase plays a key role in tumor initiation as well as tumor progression, including invasiveness, and metastasis. To target the anti-mitotic toxin (monomethyl auristatin-E) to activated matriptase, a novel antibody to activated matriptase was conjugated with this toxin via a valine-citrulline-PABA linker. In a previous study, this antibody-toxin conjugate was found to be effective against triple negative breast cancer cell lines and xenografts, alone, or in combination with cisplatin (1). In this study, we examined the anti-tumor effect of the antibody toxin conjugate (ADC) against activated matriptase positive mantle cell lymphoma cell lines (JeKo-1, Maver, Mino, and Z138). This ADC was cytotoxic to these cell lines with IC₅₀s between 5 and 14 μg/mL. The ADC also showed a dose dependent anti-tumor effect on the JeKo-1 xenograft in mice without toxicity.

Acute liver injury leading to death in the setting of brentuximab vedotin monotherapy

A 67-year-old man with an 11-year history of composite lymphoma was admitted with fevers in the context of neutropenia and acute liver injury, 4 months after the commencement of single-agent brentuximab vedotin. Fevers resolved with intravenous antibiotics, however, his liver function tests remained abnormal and he continued to be deeply jaundiced over the course of his 3-week illness. A liver screen failed to indicate a cause for his liver function test abnormalities and two separate liver biopsies were suggestive of drug-induced liver injury. There was no evidence on biopsy of lymphoma. After consultation with two hepatologists, trials of steroids and ursodeoxycholic acid were unsuccessful. Twenty-five days into admission, he became septic with a normal peripheral blood count and deteriorated rapidly. After discussion with the family, he was deemed not to be for further escalation of care, and he died within several hours. This report summarizes the evidence in relation to hepatotoxicity of brentuximab vedotin.

A Phase I Pharmacokinetic Study of Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) in Patients with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer and Normal or Reduced Hepatic Function

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and relevant analytes in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer and hepatic impairment.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled in three independent parallel cohorts based on hepatic function per Child-Pugh criteria: normal hepatic function, mild hepatic impairment, and moderate hepatic impairment. Patients received T-DM1 3.6 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks. PK samples were collected during cycles 1 and 3, and the PK of T-DM1 and relevant analytes were characterized and compared across cohorts.

RESULTS

Compared with patients with normal hepatic function (n = 10), T-DM1 clearance at cycle 1 was 1.8- and 4.0-fold faster in the mild (n = 10) and moderate (n = 8) cohorts, respectively. The trend of faster clearance was less apparent in cycle 3, with similar T-DM1 clearance across cohorts (mean ± standard deviation 8.16 ± 3.27 [n = 9], 9.74 ± 3.62 [n = 7], and 8.99 and 10.2 [individual values, n = 2] mL/day/kg for the normal, mild, and moderate cohorts, respectively). T-DM1 clearance at cycle 1 correlated significantly with baseline albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and HER2 extracellular domain concentrations (p < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of DM1 and DM1-containing catabolites were low and were comparable across cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

No increase in systemic DM1 concentration was observed in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment versus those with normal hepatic function. The faster T-DM1 clearance observed at cycle 1 in patients with hepatic impairment appeared to be transient. After repeated dosing (three cycles), T-DM1 exposure in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment was within the range seen in those with normal hepatic function.

Population PK and Exposure-Response Relationships for the Antibody-Drug Conjugate Brentuximab Vedotin in CTCL Patients in the Phase III ALCANZA Study

The antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) brentuximab vedotin consists of the CD30‐directed antibody attached to the microtubule‐disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). In pharmacokinetic models, including data from six studies (380 patients with classical Hodgkin's, systemic anaplastic large‐cell, and cutaneous T‐cell (CTCL) lymphomas), lower clearance of ADC and modestly higher ADC exposure in CTCL patients did not translate into higher MMAE exposure. In CTCL patients from the phase III ALCANZA study (n = 66), improved progression‐free survival with brentuximab vedotin vs. controls was not related to ADC exposure. ADC exposure was a predictor of grade ≥3 treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results support the consistent benefit observed with brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks across the range of exposures in ALCANZA and support dose reductions in patients experiencing TEAEs at the starting dose.

Brentuximab vedotin: clinical updates and practical guidance

Brentuximab vedotin (BV), a potent antibody-drug conjugate, targets the CD30 antigen. Owing to the remarkable efficacy shown in CD30-positive lymphomas, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, BV was granted accelerated approval in 2011 by the US Food and Drug Administration. Thereafter, many large-scale trials in various situations have been performed, which led to extensions of the original indication. The aim of this review was to describe the latest updates on clinical trials of BV and the in-practice guidance for the use of BV.

Resistance to anticancer immunity in cancer patients: potential strategies to reverse resistance

In the 1990s, the application of immunotherapy approaches to target cancer cells resulted in significant clinical responses in patients with advanced malignancies who were refractory to conventional therapies. While early immunotherapeutics were focused on T cell-mediated cytotoxic activity, subsequent efforts were centered on targeted antibody-mediated anticancer therapy. The initial success with antibody therapy encouraged further studies and, consequently, there are now more than 25 FDA-approved antibodies directed against a range of targets. Although both T cell and antibody therapies continue to result in significant clinical responses with minimal toxicity, a significant subset of patients does not respond to immunotherapy and another subset develops resistance following an initial response. This review is focused on describing examples showing that cancer resistance to immunotherapies indeed occurs. In addition, it reviews the mechanisms being used to overcome the resistance to immunotherapies by targeting the tumor cell directly and/or the tumor microenvironment.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Brentuximab Vedotin in Patients With CD30-Expressing Hematologic Malignancies

Brentuximab vedotin, a CD30‐directed antibody‐drug conjugate (ADC), is approved for treating certain patients with CD30‐expressing hematologic malignancies. Its primary mechanism of action is the targeted delivery of a microtubule‐disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), to CD30‐expressing cells. A population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analysis was conducted to characterize the PK of ADC and unconjugated MMAE in patients with CD30‐expressing hematologic malignancies by compartmental analysis and to evaluate the effects of covariates on PK of the ADC. A nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling approach was used to evaluate data from 314 patients in 5 clinical studies. ADC PK was described by a linear, 3‐compartment model with first‐order elimination. MMAE PK was described by a semimechanistic, linear, 2‐compartment model with first‐order elimination. The estimated typical values for a 75‐kg male patient were 1.56 L/d and 4.29 L for ADC systemic clearance (CL) and volume of central compartment (V1), respectively, with weight effect exponents of 0.698 and 0.503, respectively. Typical V1 in 75‐kg females was 87% of that in males, with no impact on systemic ADC exposure. Typical values of MMAE clearance (CL_M) and volume of central compartment (V4) were 55.7 L/d and 79.8 L, respectively, with weight effect exponents fixed to 0.75 and 1.0, respectively. This is the first PopPK model of brentuximab vedotin to semimechanistically link the PK of ADC and that of the unconjugated small molecule MMAE. Both ADC and MMAE PK data were adequately described by the final integrated model, which supports weight‐based dosing of brentuximab vedotin in adult patients with CD30‐expressing hematologic malignancies.

Evaluation of Evolocumab (AMG 145), a Fully Human Anti-PCSK9 IgG2 Monoclonal Antibody, in Subjects With Hepatic Impairment

Evolocumab binds PCSK9, increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) receptors and lowering LDL-C. Target-mediated evolocumab elimination is attributable to PCSK9 binding. As circulating PCSK9 and LDL-C levels are primarily regulated by the liver, we compared evolocumab pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety in individuals with and without hepatic impairment. An open-label, parallel-group study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of evolocumab in hepatic-impaired (Child-Pugh Class A or B) or healthy adults. Participants were classified as having no, mild, or moderate hepatic impairment (n = 8/group) and received a single 140-mg evolocumab dose. Assessments of unbound evolocumab and PCSK9 were made predose and postdose. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. No significant association was observed between baseline PCSK9 and increasing level of hepatic impairment. No difference in extent and time course of PCSK9 or LDL-C reduction was observed despite an apparent decrease in mean unbound evolocumab exposure with increasing hepatic impairment (Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test; maximum serum concentration P = .18; area under the curve P = .09). Maximum reductions were observed in moderately impaired subjects vs healthy individuals: mean maximum serum concentration -34%; mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) -47%. On average, unbound PCSK9 serum concentrations fell by >80% at 4 hours after a single evolocumab dose. Mean (95% confidence interval) maximum LDL-C reductions in the healthy, mild, and moderate groups were -57% (-64% to -48%), -70% (-75% to -63%), and -53% (-61% to -43%), respectively. No safety risks were identified. These results support evolocumab use without dose adjustment in patients with active liver disease and mild or moderate hepatic impairment.

Brentuximab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with CD30-positive haematologic malignancies and hepatic or renal impairment

Aims

Brentuximab vedotin, an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC), selectively delivers the microtubule‐disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into CD30‐expressing cells. The pharmacokinetics of brentuximab vedotin have been characterized in patients with CD30‐positive haematologic malignancies. The primary objective of this phase 1 open label evaluation was to assess the pharmacokinetics of brentuximab vedotin in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Methods

Systemic exposures were evaluated following intravenous administration of 1.2 mg kg^–1 brentuximab vedotin in patients with CD30‐positive haematologic malignancies and hepatic (n = 7) or renal (n = 10) impairment and compared with those of unimpaired patients (n = 8) who received 1.2 mg kg^–1 brentuximab vedotin in another arm of the study.

Results

For any hepatic impairment, the ratios of geometric means (90% confidence interval) for AUC(0,∞) were 0.67 (0.48, 0.93) for ADC and 2.29 (1.27, 4.12) for MMAE. Mild or moderate renal impairment caused no apparent change in ADC or MMAE exposures. Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml min^–1; n = 3) decreased ADC exposures (0.71 [0.54, 0.94]) and increased MMAE exposures (1.90 [0.85, 4.21]). No consistent pattern of specific adverse events was evident, but analysis of the safety data was confounded by the patients' poor baseline conditions. Five patients died due to adverse events considered unrelated to brentuximab vedotin. All had substantial comorbidities and most had poor baseline performance status.

Conclusions

Hepatic impairment and severe renal impairment may cause decreases in brentuximab vedotin ADC exposures and increases in MMAE exposures.