Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to the protein CD30, which is expressed in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). Antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs represent a therapeutic application that combines the properties of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the cell killing activity of cytotoxic small molecule drugs. The key components of antibody-drug conjugates include a monoclonal antibody, a stable linker and a cytotoxic (anticancer) agent. Monoclonal antibodies are attached to biologically active drugs by chemical linkers with labile bonds. Brentuximab vedotin consists of the chimeric monoclonal antibody brentuximablinked to cathepsin cleavable linker (valine-citrulline), para-aminobenzylcarbamate spacer three to five units of the antimitotic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE, reflected by the 'vedotin' in the drug's name).
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