A patient with relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma receives an agent targeting CD30. This drug delivers its cytotoxic payload by which mechanism?
- A Radioiodine conjugated to the antibody irradiating neighbouring cells by crossfire
- B Complement-mediated lysis of CD30-positive Reed-Sternberg cells
- C Antibody-drug conjugate internalisation releasing monomethyl auristatin E, a microtubule-disrupting agent ✓
- D Recruitment of bispecific T cells bridging CD30 to CD3
Correct answer: C. Antibody-drug conjugate internalisation releasing monomethyl auristatin E, a microtubule-disrupting agent
Explanation
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate: the anti-CD30 antibody is linked through a cleavable linker to monomethyl auristatin E, a synthetic vinca alkaloid analogue that disrupts microtubules after lysosomal release inside the tumour cell. Peripheral neuropathy from released payload is its classic toxicity. Crossfire radiation describes radioimmunoconjugates such as ibritumomab tiuxetan, and CD3 bridging describes blinatumomab.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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