Adcetris contains the active ingredient brentuximab vedotin.
Adcetris belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-cancer agents. There are many
different classes of anti-cancer agents.
Adcetris is designed to work differently than traditional anti-cancer agents (chemotherapy).
Traditional chemotherapy enters the blood and kills both cancer cells and healthy
cells that divide rapidly. Adcetris is made up of a monoclonal antibody linked to
a substance intended to kill cancer cells. This substance is delivered to cancer cells
by the monoclonal antibody.
A monoclonal antibody is a protein which recognises certain cancer cells.
Adcetris is used to treat Hodgkin Lymphoma that has come back or not responded to
previous treatment.
Adcetris may also be used alone to lower the likelihood of Hodgkin Lymphoma coming
back after a stem cell transplant in patients with certain risk factors. In these
patients, Adcetris may help prevent or delay recurrence of disease. Your doctor will
discuss the potential risks and benefits of receiving Adcetris following a stem cell
transplant.
Hodgkin Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the white blood cells.
Adcetris is also used to treat patients with cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) who
have previously received at least one anti-cancer medicine that travels through the
bloodstream.
CTCL is a cancer of a certain type of white blood cell called a ‘T-cell’ that mainly
affects the skin. Adcetris is used to treat CTCL where a specific type of protein
is present on the cells’ surface.
Adcetris is also used to treat patients with peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL) who
have not had treatment before.
PTCL is a type of non Hodgkin Lymphoma found in the lymph nodes and/or throughout
other parts of the body. When Adcetris is used to treat PTCL that has not already
been treated, it is given in combination with other chemotherapy medicines used to
treat this condition.
Systemic Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (sALCL) is a type of PTCL. Adcetris may also
be used alone to treat sALCL that has come back or not responded to previous treatment.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
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