Hematology AdvisorRegimen May Eliminate Need for Transplant in Low-Risk Hodgkin Lymphoma

The 3-year event free survival rate was 86.9%, and the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 95%.

A recent phase 2 trial has revealed a promising treatment option for young patients with low-risk, relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The regimen, involving nivolumab and brentuximab vedotin, followed by consolidative involved-site radiotherapy (ISRT), could potentially eliminate the need for high-dose therapy and transplant.

HCN Medical Memo
This regimen presents a less invasive and potentially more effective treatment option for young patients with low-risk, relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma. It’s important to consider this approach when treating such patients, as it could eliminate the need for high-dose therapy and transplant, reducing both physical and psychological stress on our patients.

Key Points

• The trial, known as CheckMate 744, was presented at the 2023 ASTRO Annual Meeting.
• The low-risk cohort of the trial included 28 patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma, aged between 6 and 27 years.
• After 4 cycles of induction, the complete metabolic response (CMR) rate was 82.1%, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 96.4%.
• At any time before ISRT, the CMR rate was 92.9%, and the ORR was 100%.
• The 3-year event-free survival rate was 86.9%, and the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 95%.
• No patients have had to go on to get high-dose therapy and transplant.

“The findings suggest that children, adolescents, and young adults with low-risk relapsed classic Hodgkin lymphoma can be salvaged with low-toxicity chemoimmunotherapy and involved-site radiation and may not require high-dose therapy and transplant for cure.”
– Bradford S. Hoppe, MD of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida

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