In a nutshell
This study aimed to evaluate brentuximab vedotin (BV; Adcedris) and bendamustine (Treanda) treatment in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL).
This study concluded that this treatment combination was safe and effective in these patients.
Some background
HL is a common cancer in young patients. Although the majority of patients have an excellent response to first-line treatments, some patients experience r/r disease. Salvage therapies are given to patients with r/r disease. A complete metabolic response (CMR) following salvage therapy is associated with very good outcomes. Because of this, optimal treatments need to be found.
The combination of BV and bendamustine (BVB), is highly active in adult patients with r/r HL. However, this combination has not been extensively studied in pediatric patients with r/r HL.
Methods & findings
This study involved 29 patients with r/r HL aged 7 to 20 years. All patients were treated with BVB. Patients received BV on day 1 and bendamustine on days 1,2 and 3 of a 3-week cycle. Patients received an average of 3 cycles of BVB.
Overall, 66% of patients achieved CMR. 79% of patients had an objective response (OR; complete or partial disappearance of the cancer).
2 patients (7%) needed to stop the treatment due to side effects. The most common severe side effects were low blood cell counts.
18 patients underwent successful mobilization and collection of stem cells and 16 received a consolidative stem transplant following BVB treatment.
The 3-year survival without complication from HL after-BVB treatment was 65%. 89% of patients were alive 3 years after BVB treatment.
The bottom line
This study concluded that BVB was well tolerated and had similar effectiveness to current salvage regimens for pediatric patients with r/r HL.
The fine print
This study had a very small number of participants. There was no comparison group. Larger studies are needed.
Published By :
Blood advances
Date :
Sep 24, 2021
