In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate if a treatment combination including brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) would be effective in treating patients with advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
This study concluded that treatment combinations with and without brentuximab vedotin were effective but one (BrECADD) was associated with fewer side effects.
Some background
Radiation and combination chemotherapy are the common treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). However, these treatments can lead to severe side effects. Treatments that lower the rate of negative effects are needed.
Brentuximab vedotin has been used to treat relapsed HL (HL that is treated and returns). It is an antibody-drug conjugate and works by carrying a drug to the cancer cells to kill them.
It was not known if a drug combination that included brentuximab vedotin would reduce side effects and be effective in treating advanced HL.
Methods & findings
This study involved 101 patients with advanced Hodgkins lymphoma. Patients were split into two groups. One group received 6 cycles of BrECAPP. This regime included brentuximab vedotin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and procarbazine (chemotherapies), and prednisone (steroid). The other group received 6 cycles of BrECADD. This regime included brentuximab vedotin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine (chemotherapies) and dexamethasone (corticosteroid). Patients were followed for an average of 17 months. Complete response to chemotherapy, complete remission (no sign of disease) at the end of treatment and safety were measured.
86% of the BrECAPP group had a complete response to treatment. 94% of this group had complete remission at the end of treatment.
88% of the BrECADD group had a complete response to treatment. 88% of this group had complete remission at the end of treatment.
58 serious side effects were reported. 55% of these occurred in the BrECAPP group and 45% in the BrECADD group.
The most common side effects seen were blood-related (89%).
The bottom line
This study concluded that both treatment combinations were effective but the BrECADD regime caused fewer side effects and should be further investigated as a treatment option.
The fine print
Further results are yet to be reported.
What’s next?
Consult your physician about the treatment regimens available to you.
Published By :
The Lancet. Oncology
Date :
Nov 10, 2017
