SGN-30: a basis for the effective treatment of CD30 positive hematopoietic malignancies

Background: Patients with high-risk, relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma, those with systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, and those with primary cutaneous CD30-positive disorders are in need of novel therapies. CD30, a common marker in these malignancies, is a reasonable immunologic target given its restricted expression in normal states. SGN-30 is a chimeric antibody targeting CD30.

Objective: Review of data regarding SGN-30, including structure, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy in different patient groups, safety, and tolerability.

Method: The medical literature and available abstracts regarding SGN-30 are reviewed.

Conclusion: SGN-30 may be efficacious through multiple mechanisms of action. The most efficacious dose has yet to be determined. Given the long drug half-life, short infusions may be administered every 2 - 3 weeks. The highest response rate was seen in patients with primary cutaneous CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disease and encouraging results were seen in patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Most responses in Hodgkin lymphoma were stable disease. Despite a majority of patients having had stem cell transplantation, the drug was well tolerated. There are in vivo and in vitro data that SGN-30 may be synergistic with chemotherapy.