Updated real-world outcomes with brentuximab vedotin in lymphoma patients: A multicenter, retrospective study from China

Abstract Introduction: Brentuximab vedotin (BV) was first approved in China in 2020 for the treatment of patients with CD30-positive lymphoma. A real-world study conducted in 2022 in Chinese lymphoma patients demonstrated notable effectiveness and moderate toxicity when treated with BV-based regimens. Here, we present updated results from this study, which includes a larger cohort and longer follow-up period. Methods: This multi-center, retrospective study was carried out across three real-world centers in central China, involving patients diagnosed with lymphoma who received BV treatment between August 2020 and April 2025. Results: A total of 252 patients with CD30-positive lymphoma were included in the analysis. Of these, 44.8% were diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), 27.4% with systemic Page 4 of 24 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL), and 27.8% with other types of lymphoma. The median number of BV-based therapy cycles administered was 4.0 (range: 1.0–21.0). Effectiveness analysis was performed on 234 patients, revealing an overall response rate (ORR) of 67.1% and a complete response (CR) rate of 39.7%. Among those who received BV as a first-line therapy, the ORR and CR rates were significantly higher, at 73.3% and 49.5%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 17.6 months (range: 0.1–55.6 months), the 1-year and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.1% and 83.8%, respectively, while the 1-year and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 78.9% and 76.4%, respectively. In patients who were treated with BV as first-line therapy, the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were even more favorable, reaching 91.4% and 87.5%, respectively, and the 1-year and 2-year PFS rates both peaked at 80.2%. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) of any grade was 85.7%, with the most frequently reported AEs being anemia (41.3%), leukopenia (38.9%), and infections (29.4%). A total of 44 patients underwent stem cell transplantation (SCT), with 31 patients receiving BV-based bridge therapy and 10 patients receiving BV as consolidation therapy following SCT. Conclusions: Our findings further solidify the role of BV as an efficacious and generally well-tolerated treatment for Chinese patients with CD30-positive lymphoma. Besides, the results underscore its potential not only in first-line therapy but also as a bridge therapy and consolidation to SCT, thereby highlighting its utility in various stages of lymphoma treatment.