Drug reference

Brentuximab vedotin

Anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate (vedotin = MMAE) · Antineoplastic

Also known as Adcetris

START

1.8 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks (or 1.2 mg/kg q2w with AVD)

TYPICAL MAX

1.8 mg/kg q3w (cap 180 mg)

STOP IF

PML, severe neuropathy (grade 4), or anaphylaxis

WATCH

Neuropathy (graded each cycle), CBC, LFTs, PML symptoms

CDSCO approvedSchedule HATC L01FX05

Dose laddermg/d

Renal dose adjustmenteGFR mL/min/1.73m²

KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label

Pharmacokineticsplasma · t hours

ONSET: 6min · infusion start
PEAK: 30min · end infusion
t½: 5d · t½ ~5 d
DURATION: 3w · q3w cycle

EXCRETION

Mainly faecal (MMAE); minimal renal

route + CYP

INTERACTIONS

12 major

incl. contraindicated

PREGNANCY

Can cause fetal harm — avoid; effective contraception during and 6 months after.

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 12 →

BleomycinContraindicatedDatabaseKimi deep-research + Cla
AdalimumabSevereDatabaseDDInter
BaricitinibSevereDatabaseDDInter
CertolizumabSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Chimeric anti-CD30 IgG1 monoclonal antibody conjugated via a protease-cleavable linker to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), an antimitotic tubulin disruptor; binds CD30+ cells, internalises, releases MMAE inside the cell → apoptosis.

Indications

Hodgkin lymphoma (relapsed/refractory; first-line stage III/IV with AVD)Systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphomaCutaneous T-cell lymphoma (selected)PTCL CD30+ (with CHP)

Dosing

Adult: 1.8 mg/kg IV over 30 min every 3 weeks (max 180 mg); first-line HL combos: 1.2 mg/kg every 2 weeks (with AVD). Renal/hepatic dose reductions apply.
Pediatric: Adolescents per indication; weight-based.
Renal adjustment: CrCl <30: not recommended (MMAE accumulation).
Hepatic adjustment: Moderate–severe: reduce dose (e.g., 1.2 mg/kg q3w).
Geriatric: No specific adjustment; monitor neuropathy.
Max dose: 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks (cap 180 mg)

Pharmacokinetics

Onset

Tumour effect over weeks

Peak effect

End of infusion

Duration

Cycle every 2–3 weeks

Half-life

Antibody-conjugate ~4–6 days; MMAE ~3–4 days

Bioavailability

IV 100%

Protein binding

MMAE ~68–82%

Metabolism

MMAE oxidised by CYP3A4 after release

Excretion

Mainly faecal (MMAE); minimal renal intact ADC

Contraindications

Concomitant bleomycin (boxed pulmonary toxicity)
Severe hypersensitivity
Caution: pre-existing neuropathy, hepatic impairment

Side effects

Common

Peripheral neuropathy (sensory)FatigueNauseaNeutropeniaDiarrhoeaAnaemia

Serious

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (boxed)
Severe peripheral neuropathy
Severe infusion reactions / anaphylaxis
Hepatotoxicity
Tumour lysis syndrome
Pancreatitis

Pregnancy & lactation

Pregnancy

Can cause fetal harm — avoid; effective contraception during and 6 months after.

Lactation

Avoid breastfeeding during and 6 months after therapy.

Drug interactions

Bleomycin

Contraindicated

Database

Synergistic pulmonary toxicity (pneumonitis)

Contraindicated combination (BV-AVD replaced ABVD-BV)

Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla

Adalimumab

Severe

Database