Brad S. Kahl, MD | Authors

December 08, 2020

ABSTRACT: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprise a unique class of chemoimmunotherapy agents, incorporating cytotoxic payloads covalently linked to a monoclonal antibody via specialized linkers. This strategy attempts to exploit antibody-antigen specificity to selectively deliver a potent ‘warhead’ payload to tumor cells (Figure), while sparing nontumor antigen-negative cells. Decades of development have culminated in the recent approvals of a handful of ADCs across multiple tumor types. ADCs for the treatment of lymphoma are particularly attractive due in part to the favorable spectrum of cell surface markers uniquely expressed on lymphocytes compared with other tissues. Here we discuss general principles of ADC design, including antigen/antibody, payload, and linker selection. We highlight the clinical successes of the 2 approved ADCs for treatment of lymphomas: brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) and polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy). Finally, we describe several ADC agents currently under development for lymphoma, including emerging efficacy and toxicity data from early-stage clinical trials.

July 07, 2017

This video reviews different strategies for maintenance therapy in mantle cell lymphoma, as well as highlighting upcoming research in this setting.

June 15, 2015

Several lymphoma subtypes may present with isolated splenomegaly. Establishing a correct histologic diagnosis is critical, since patient management is largely determined by histology.

January 17, 2012

Typically, when one authors a commentary piece, a good template to follow is to start with some background material, review the major findings of the paper in question, and then focus on areas of controversy and unanswered questions.

April 01, 2007

Despite significant improvements in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma over the past 2 decades, physicians continue to face dilemmas in therapy for the disease, and many cured patients live with complications of treatment. Newer therapeutic options are still needed for the disease, to minimize complications and to improve the treatment of patients in relapse. This review considers the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma in younger patients, addressing such issues as which patients with early-stage disease may require radiotherapy, what prognostic factors provide information that can affect treatment choices in patients with advanced disease, and what we have learned about treatment complications in this setting.