Brentuximab vedotin plus nivolumab to treat patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma

This study looked at the combination of brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) and nivolumab (Opdivo) to treat patients with relapsed or difficult to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. The study concluded that the combination of brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab is an effective treatment for patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma. 

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is largely considered a curable disease. However, some patients will relapse or not respond to treatment (refractory). These patients are traditionally treated with salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT; using stem cells from the patient’s own body).

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) and nivolumab (Nivo) have been used separately to treat patients with relapsed or refractory HL. These treatments stimulate the immune system to help fight the cancer. More research is needed to confirm that the combination of BV and Nivo is safe and effective. 

62 patients participated in this study. Patients received four 21-day cycles of BV plus Nivo. BV (1.8 mg/kg) was given on day 1 of each cycle. Nivo (3.0 mg/kg) was given on day 8 of cycle 1 and day 1 of cycles 2-4. 58 patients (93.5%) of patients completed all 4 cycles. The average length of follow up was 7.8 months.

Patient outcomes were measured at the end of 4 cycles. The complete response rate (no detectable disease) was 62% at the end of treatment. 98% of patients showed a reduction in the size or amount of tumors.

54 patients received auto-SCT after BV plus Nivo treatment. 76% of patients achieved complete response before auto-SCT.

98% of patients experienced a negative side effect before auto-SCT. Nausea (49%), reactions to the infusion (44%), and fatigue (41%) were the most common negative side effects. 31% of patients had a side effect that was ranked as grade 3 (serious) or higher. 

The authors concluded that BV plus Nivo in combination is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after their first relapse.