Expert opinion on biological therapy
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von Willebrand factor (VWF)-related disorders are generally distinguished as either acquired (von Willebrand Syndrome; VWS) or congenital (von Willebrand Disease; VWD). VWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder and is due to deficiencies and/or defects in VWF. VWS arises from a large variety of causes. ⋯ All these aspects reflect important but sometimes overlooked issues when using replacement therapy, or attempting to follow expert guidelines. Recombinant VWF has been developed and is undergoing clinical trials, and this promising therapy may change the VWD management landscape in the near future.
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Brentuximab vedotin , a novel anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate, delivers a cytotoxic agent into CD30(+) cells. CD30 expression is characteristic of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). ⋯ Brentuximab vedotin provides targeted therapy to CD30(+) lymphomas, including ALCL and HL, with high response rates and manageable toxicity, predominantly myelosuppression and peripheral neuropathy.