Brentuximab vedotin as monotherapy or combination therapy for cutaneous peripheral T cell lymphoma - a retrospective study.

Background: Cutaneous peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCL) are rare and show an aggressive course with limited response to therapy. The efficacy of brentuximab vedotin in cutaneous peripheral T cell lymphomas has not yet been systematically investigated.

Patients and methods: In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated brentuximab vedotin as monotherapy or in combination therapy in patients with cutaneous CD30-positive peripheral T cell lymphoma (n  =  9).

Results: Overall, the therapy showed good efficacy and acceptable tolerability. One patient achieved an almost complete response, five had a partial response, and two had a mixed response as best overall response. The median time to response was 31.5 days (interquartile range 12-53). The median duration of response was short at 4.3 months. Median overall survival from initiation of brentuximab vedotin was 15.2 months; four of nine patients died from advanced lymphoma and one patient died from an unrelated cause.

Conclusion: Brentuximab vedotin as monotherapy or combination therapy is a rapidly effective and tolerable treatment option for patients with cutaneous PTCL, although the duration of response is short.