This research study is a Phase I clinical trial. Phase I clinical trials test the safety of
an investigational drug. Phase I studies also try to define the appropriate dose of the
investigational drug to use for further studies. "Investigational" means that the drug is
still being studied and that research doctors are trying to find out more about it. It also
means that the FDA has not approved brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of GVHD.
Currently, corticosteroids are the standard/first line of treatment for people with GVHD.
However, some patients do not achieve a good response with steroids and other experience
flare-ups while tapering steroid treatment. Corticosteroid treatment has also led to a
weakening of the immune system. For this reason, there have been increased attempts by
researchers to find other options for the treatment of Graft vs. Host Disease.
Brentuximab vedotin is a drug that is FDA approved for the treatment of certain types of
cancers, like Hodgkin's lymphoma. Recent research studies have found increased levels of
protein called CD30 in people with acute GVHD. Brentuximab vedotin is designed to target
CD30. Researchers have never tried to target the CD30 molecule for the treatment of GVHD, but
results from other research studies show that it could help slow the growth of your disease.
In this research study, we are trying to determine the safest dose of brentuximab vedotin
that can be given to patients with GVHD.
Phase:
Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Massachusetts General Hospital
Collaborators:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Seagen Inc. Seattle Genetics, Inc.