Brentuximab Vedotin for Relapsed or Refractory Sézary Syndrome

Questions  What is the global response rate of brentuximab vedotin in Sézary syndrome (SS), and how does it compare with other therapies used for SS?

Findings  In this case series, 5 of 13 patients with SS (38%) achieved a global response, including 1 complete response. Response rates by disease compartment were 38% in the skin, 63% in the blood, and 50% in the lymph nodes.

Meaning  Brentuximab vedotin is associated with some efficacy in SS.

Importance  Treatment options for Sézary syndrome (SS) are limited and associated with low response rates. Brentuximab vedotin is a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate approved for refractory CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, limited data exist on its efficacy in SS, including in the pivotal phase 3 ALCANZA (A Phase 3 Trial of Brentuximab Vedotin (SGN-35) Versus Physician’s Choice [Methotrexate or Bexarotene] in Participants With CD30-Positive Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma) trial.

Objective  To assess the preliminary efficacy and tolerability of brentuximab vedotin for SS.

Design, Setting, and Participants  From January 1, 2017, to July 31, 2020, a total of 13 patients with SS received brentuximab vedotin and were analyzed as part of a retrospective case series. Median follow-up was 10.4 months (range, 1.4-34.6 months). All patients were 18 years or older with a diagnosis of SS and with B2 blood involvement at the time brentuximab vedotin therapy was initiated. This single-center study was conducted at a major academic referral center.

Interventions  Intravenous brentuximab vedotin administration approximately every 3 weeks.

Main Outcomes and Measures  The primary end point was the global response rate. Outcomes were assessed in the skin and lymph nodes per the 2011 European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer–International Society of Cutaneous Lymphoma response criteria and in the blood per the 2018 Prospective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index revised blood response criteria.

Results  The study included 13 patients (8 [62%] male; mean [SD] age, 68.2 [8.6] years). Of these 13 patients, 5 (38%) achieved a global response after a median of 6 cycles, including 1 complete response. Response rates by disease compartment were 38% in the skin, 63% in the blood, and 50% in the lymph nodes. Three of 11 patients (27%) with pruritus reported improvement. Skin CD30 positivity (>10%) was detected in 9 patients but was not associated with responses. Among responders, the median time to response was 6 weeks (range, 6-9 weeks), and the median duration of response was 5.5 months (range, 2.5-28.9 months). The median time to next treatment was 3.2 months (range, 1.5-36.7 months). Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 4 patients but resolved in 2 patients. Grade 2 adverse events were neuropathy (n = 2), constipation (n = 1), and hand-foot syndrome (n = 1).

Conclusions and Relevance  In this case series, brentuximab vedotin use was associated with some efficacy in SS across multiple disease compartments and in the setting of refractory disease or low CD30 skin expression. Brentuximab vedotin may offer a manageable treatment schedule and low incidence of significant toxic effects.