Patient receiving safe cancer treatment through desensitization, protected by energy shields.

Overcoming Anaphylaxis: A Guide to Brentuximab Desensitization

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Learn how rapid drug desensitization can help patients with Hodgkin lymphoma safely receive life-saving treatment despite severe allergic reactions."

Monoclonal antibodies, like brentuximab vedotin (BV), are revolutionizing the treatment of various cancers by targeting specific proteins associated with the disease. BV, in particular, is a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate that has significantly improved outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (AUTO-SCT). It's a game-changer, offering the possibility of lasting remission for many.

However, like many intravenous monoclonal antibodies, BV can sometimes trigger acute infusion reactions. While severe immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) are rare, they can be life-threatening. In such cases, desensitization becomes a critical strategy to allow patients to continue receiving this potentially life-saving treatment.

Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) has emerged as a valuable technique for safely administering biologic agents that cause immediate-type HSRs. By gradually exposing the patient to increasing doses of the drug, RDD induces temporary tolerance, allowing them to receive the full therapeutic benefit. While desensitization protocols for monoclonal agents are not yet common, they are becoming increasingly important in managing allergic reactions to these essential medications.

What is Rapid Drug Desensitization (RDD) and How Does It Work?

Patient receiving safe cancer treatment through desensitization, protected by energy shields.

Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) is a carefully designed process that allows healthcare professionals to administer medications, like brentuximab vedotin, to patients who have experienced severe allergic reactions. The goal is to temporarily modify the patient's immune system, reducing the risk of anaphylaxis during treatment.

The RDD process involves administering gradually increasing doses of the medication over a relatively short period, often several hours. This controlled exposure helps to retrain the immune system to tolerate the drug, minimizing the risk of a severe allergic reaction.

Pre-Medication: Patients typically receive antihistamines, corticosteroids, or other medications to further reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Gradual Dose Escalation: The medication is administered in a series of progressively larger doses, carefully monitored by medical staff.
Monitoring and Intervention: Vital signs and potential symptoms of an allergic reaction are closely monitored throughout the process. If a reaction occurs, the infusion is temporarily stopped, and appropriate medical interventions are administered.
Completion of Desensitization: Once the patient has safely received the full dose of the medication, they can often continue treatment with a reduced risk of allergic reactions.

RDD is not a cure for drug allergies, but rather a way to temporarily allow patients to receive necessary treatments. It's crucial to remember that the patient may still be at risk of an allergic reaction in the future if they receive the drug again without desensitization.

The Future of Desensitization in Cancer Treatment

As monoclonal antibody therapies become increasingly common in cancer treatment, desensitization protocols will likely play an even more vital role in ensuring that patients can safely access these life-saving medications. Ongoing research and advancements in desensitization techniques promise to make these procedures even safer and more effective, expanding access to cutting-edge cancer care for all patients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.18176/jiaci.0288, Alternate LINK

Title: Successful Desensitization To Brentuximab After Anaphylactic Shock

Subject: Immunology

Journal: Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology

Publisher: Esmon Publicidad, SA

Authors: B Görgülü, Sk Toprak, S Bavbek

Published: 2018-10-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is brentuximab vedotin (BV) and why is it important in treating Hodgkin lymphoma?

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate used to treat relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (AUTO-SCT). It works by specifically targeting CD30 proteins associated with the disease, improving outcomes and offering the possibility of lasting remission for many patients. Its significance lies in providing a potentially life-saving option for patients who have not responded to or have relapsed after other treatments. However, like other monoclonal antibodies, BV can sometimes trigger acute infusion reactions.

What is rapid drug desensitization (RDD) and when is it necessary?

Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) is a process used to administer medications like brentuximab vedotin to patients who have experienced severe allergic reactions (HSRs). RDD is necessary when a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma requires treatment with brentuximab vedotin, but experiences life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions. The process involves gradually exposing the patient to increasing doses of the drug, inducing temporary tolerance and allowing them to receive the full therapeutic benefit.

How does rapid drug desensitization (RDD) work, and what steps are involved in the process?

Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) involves several key steps to temporarily modify the patient's immune system and reduce the risk of anaphylaxis. First, patients receive pre-medication with antihistamines or corticosteroids. Then, the medication, such as brentuximab vedotin, is administered in gradually escalating doses under close medical supervision. Throughout the process, vital signs and potential symptoms of an allergic reaction are closely monitored, and if a reaction occurs, the infusion is temporarily stopped, and medical interventions are administered. Once the patient safely receives the full dose, they can often continue treatment with a reduced risk of allergic reactions. It is important to note that RDD is not a cure for drug allergies.

What are the implications of using monoclonal antibody therapies like brentuximab vedotin in cancer treatment, especially regarding allergic reactions and desensitization protocols?

The increasing use of monoclonal antibody therapies, such as brentuximab vedotin, has transformed cancer treatment. However, these therapies can sometimes trigger acute infusion reactions, including severe immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions. This necessitates the development and implementation of desensitization protocols like rapid drug desensitization (RDD). The implication is that healthcare providers must be prepared to manage these allergic reactions to ensure patients can safely access these potentially life-saving medications. As monoclonal antibody therapies become more common, desensitization protocols will play an increasingly vital role in expanding access to cutting-edge cancer care.

Is rapid drug desensitization (RDD) a permanent solution for drug allergies, and what precautions should be taken after the procedure?

Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) is not a cure for drug allergies; it is a way to temporarily allow patients to receive necessary treatments like brentuximab vedotin. The patient may still be at risk of an allergic reaction in the future if they receive the drug again without desensitization. After the procedure, it's crucial to remember that the patient may still be at risk of an allergic reaction if they receive brentuximab vedotin again without desensitization. Ongoing monitoring and caution are necessary to ensure patient safety during subsequent treatments.