Adcetris: A Powerful Treatment for Lymphomas and Leukemias Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat specific types of lymphomas and leukemias. It was approved by the FDA in 2011 and has been shown to have a high rate of response and remission in patients. This article will discuss the uses, dosage, demographic, side effects, interactions, and generic options of Adcetris. Uses Adcetris is used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), and CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). These are types of lymphomas and leukemias that involve the CD30 protein, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells. Adcetris works by targeting the CD30 protein and inducing cell death. Dosage The dosage of Adcetris depends on the type of cancer being treated and the patient's weight. For HL and ALCL, the recommended dosage is 1.8 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, given every three weeks. For CTCL, the recommended dosage is 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight, given every three weeks. Adcetris is typically administered through a vein in the arm or hand. Demographic Adcetris is typically used in patients who have already undergone other treatments for their lymphomas or leukemias. It is also commonly used in patients who have relapsed or grown resistant to other treatments. Adcetris is approved for use in adults over 18 years old. Side Effects Adcetris can cause several side effects, some of which can be serious. The most common side effects include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, fever, and peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the hands and feet). More serious side effects include thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), neutropenia (low white blood cell count), and peripheral motor neuropathy (muscle weakness in the hands and feet). Interactions Adcetris can interact with other drugs or supplements, so it is important to disclose all medications and supplements to your doctor prior to starting treatment. Adcetris can also interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which should be avoided during treatment. Generic Options Adcetris is currently only available as a brand-name drug, and there are no generic options. However, biosimilar versions of Adcetris are currently in development and could become available in the near future. Conclusion Adcetris is a powerful chemotherapy drug used to treat specific types of lymphomas and leukemias. It works by targeting the CD30 protein on cancer cells and inducing cell death. While it can cause several side effects, it has been shown to have a high rate of response and remission in patients. Adcetris is typically used in patients who have already undergone other treatments for their lymphomas or leukemias, and it is currently only available as a brand-name drug.