In a nutshell
This trial examined the quality-of-life (QOL) impact of an antibody therapy among patients who had already undergone standard treatment for relapsed- or refractory disease. The authors concluded that the treatment modestly decreased QOL during certain time periods only.
Some background
Hodgkin Lymphoma is generally highly curable. Some patients, however, are either unresponsive to treatment (refractory disease) or relapse soon afterwards. The standard treatment for these patients is salvage chemotherapy (a second course), followed by high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation. This, however, is only successful in around 50% of patients.
Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an antibody and chemotherapy. It attaches to the CD30 (a protein) on the surface of cancer cells. This allows the chemotherapy to enter and kill the cancer cell. BV treatment has improved three-year progression-free survival (time from treatment until disease progression) in patients at high-risk of treatment failure. The main side effect of BV-treatment is peripheral neuropathy (PN, a tingling along the limbs). PN can be reversed with eventual dose reduction. Whether or not the side effects of BV treatment affect quality of life is still under investigation.
Methods & findings
This trial examined the QOL impact of the BV treatment in patients at high-risk of relapse after stem cell transplantation.
This trial included 329 patients whose standard treatment for relapsed- or refractory disease had failed. 165 received BV treatment (16 cycles every three weeks) and best supportive care (BSC). 164 received placebo (substance with no effect) and BSC. Quality of life was measured by a questionnaire answered at the start of each treatment cycle, at the end of treatment, and every 3 months for 24 months afterward.
87.5% of patients completed all questionnaires. There was no significant differences in quality of life between the groups except at month 15 following treatment. During month 15, quality of life was lower in the BV group. There was no significant difference in scores among BV-treated patients who developed PN and those who did not.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that BV treatment modestly decreased QOL scores only during certain periods of treatment.
The fine print
Longer follow-up periods are need.
Published By :
British Journal of Haematology
Date :
Dec 01, 2016
