[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antibody-drug-conjugates/) › Brentuximab vedotin

# Brentuximab vedotin

## ADCs?

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)

## High alert?

An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used.

Anti-CD30 antibody carrying the microtubule poison MMAE; used in Hodgkin and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Watch for neuropathy and PML.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antibody-drug-conjugates/)

**Target**
CD30 (TNFRSF8) on lymphoma cells

**Used for**
Classic Hodgkin lymphoma

**Key effects**
Peripheral sensory neuropathy · Neutropenia · Fatigue

**Monitor**
Neurological symptoms · Neuropathy at each visit

**ATC**
L01FX05

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Clinical What the labels mean

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

The chimeric IgG1 antibody binds CD30, which is abundant on Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg cells and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. After internalisation, proteases cleave the linker and release monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), which disrupts the microtubule network, arrests the cell cycle and causes apoptosis.

- The antibody binds CD30 on the lymphoma cell
- The conjugate is internalised
- Proteases release MMAE inside the cell
- Microtubules break down: arrest and apoptosis

## Indications

- Classic Hodgkin lymphoma: untreated advanced disease with chemotherapy, high risk of relapse after autologous transplant, or relapse after transplant or several regimens. [Hodgkin lymphoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hodgkin-lymphoma/)
- Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma and other CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas; some relapsed large B-cell lymphomas in combination. [Non-Hodgkin lymphoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/)
- Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma and CD30-positive mycosis fungoides after prior systemic therapy. [Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/mycosis-fungoides-and-sezary-syndrome/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Peripheral sensory neuropathy (numbness, tingling)
- Neutropenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia
- Fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting
- Fever, rash, cough
- Upper respiratory infections

### Serious (rare, important)

- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), often fatal (boxed warning)
- Severe peripheral neuropathy and weakness
- Serious infections and febrile neutropenia
- Infusion and allergic reactions
- Severe skin reactions
- Pancreatitis, liver toxicity and pulmonary toxicity

## Contraindications

- Allergy to the drug
- Caution in pre-existing neuropathy, liver or kidney disease and immunosuppression

## Key interactions

**Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole)**
Raise MMAE exposure and its toxicity (neutropenia, neuropathy).

**Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin)**
Lower MMAE exposure.

## What is monitored

- Neurological symptoms: new weakness on one side, confusion, speech or vision changes (PML)
- Neuropathy at each visit
- Complete blood count before each dose
- Liver tests and blood glucose
- Infusion reactions

## Administration and safety

- Intravenous infusion, never as a push or bolus; given in a clinic or hospital.
- Hazardous drug: prepared and handled with chemotherapy precautions.
- Watch for infusion reactions during and in the day after the dose.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Can harm the fetus; a pregnancy test is done and effective contraception is used during and after treatment, and breastfeeding is not advised.

## Nursing care

- Ask about numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in the limbs at every visit; report new symptoms before the dose.
- Report at once any new neurological deficit, confusion, clumsiness or vision change (PML).
- Review blood counts and watch for fever.
- Teaching: report fever, cough, severe abdominal pain or yellow skin; use effective contraception.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Intravenous infusion.

**Metabolism**
The released MMAE is metabolised mainly by CYP3A4.

## Memory aid

«Brentuximab = Brain + nerves»: CD30 + MMAE; its warnings are PML (brain) and neuropathy (nerves).

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which antigen does brentuximab vedotin target?

CD30, abundant on Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg cells and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

## What is the boxed warning of brentuximab vedotin?

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

## What is the most common dose-limiting effect of brentuximab vedotin?

Peripheral sensory neuropathy, from the MMAE payload.

## Why does ketoconazole matter with brentuximab vedotin?

It inhibits CYP3A4 and raises exposure to the MMAE payload.

[Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/brentuximab-vedotin/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## What the labels mean

**High alert**
An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used.

## Connections

## Related drugs 1

- [Enfortumab vedotin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/enfortumab-vedotin/)

## Related conditions 3

- [Hodgkin lymphoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hodgkin-lymphoma/)
- [Non-Hodgkin lymphoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/)
- [Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/mycosis-fungoides-and-sezary-syndrome/)

[← Back to the class: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antibody-drug-conjugates/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Brentuximab Vedotin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611052.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Brentuximab Vedotin - NCI](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/brentuximabvedotin) (National Cancer Institute, 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L01FX05) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/brentuximab-vedotin/