Chemotherapy + Immunotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Not currently recruiting at 9 trial locations

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Academic and Community Cancer Research United

Must not be taking: Immunosuppressants, Corticosteroids

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, CNS involvement, Hepatic insufficiency, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Breakthrough Therapy This drug has been fast-tracked for approval by the FDA given its high promise

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 22

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to test the effectiveness of a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs in treating early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. The study investigates whether combining drugs like doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), and nivolumab (Opdivo) can improve patient survival by inhibiting cancer cell growth and enhancing the immune system's ability to fight the disease. It seeks participants diagnosed with stage I or II Hodgkin's lymphoma that is untreated and does not involve large tumors. Participants should be prepared to visit the trial site for regular follow-ups. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants the opportunity to contribute to potentially groundbreaking cancer treatment advancements.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on immunosuppressive therapy or medications that could interfere with the trial, you may need to stop them. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Previous studies found brentuximab vedotin safe for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, achieving success rates of up to 86% in some cases. The FDA has approved dacarbazine for treating Hodgkin's lymphoma, and it has been used effectively for many years. When combined with drugs like vinblastine and dacarbazine, doxorubicin has shown good results with generally manageable side effects. The CheckMate 205 study proved nivolumab safe and effective for patients with recurring Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Vinblastine, when used with other drugs, is part of treatments that are usually well-tolerated. Overall, research in different settings has shown these drugs to be safe, with typically manageable side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about this treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma because it combines chemotherapy with immunotherapy, which is a promising new approach. Unlike traditional chemotherapy that primarily attacks rapidly dividing cells, this regimen includes nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Additionally, brentuximab vedotin is used, which delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells with a targeted approach, potentially reducing side effects. This combination aims to enhance treatment effectiveness while minimizing harm to healthy cells, offering a compelling alternative to existing treatments.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Research has shown that combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy holds promise for treating Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this trial, participants will receive a combination of treatments. Brentuximab vedotin, one of the treatments, has proven very effective, with survival rates reaching up to 93.9%. Dacarbazine, another treatment option in this trial, has helped many patients achieve complete remission, meaning the cancer is no longer detectable. When used with chemotherapy, nivolumab has led to impressive results, with 88% of patients not experiencing cancer progression. Vinblastine and doxorubicin, as part of the chemotherapy regimen in this trial, have also demonstrated high success rates and help patients live longer. These treatments work by directly attacking cancer cells and boosting the immune system to fight the lymphoma. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Steven I Park

Principal Investigator

Academic and Community Cancer Research United

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with previously untreated stage I-II non-bulky Hodgkin lymphoma. Participants must have measurable disease, adequate blood counts and organ function, no severe infections or other health conditions that could interfere with the study, not be pregnant or nursing, and agree to use contraception. Those with certain prior treatments, immunodeficiency, active hepatitis B or C, another primary malignancy within 3 years (with some exceptions), uncontrolled illnesses or known allergies to study drugs are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My hemoglobin level is at least 8.5 g/dL without recent blood transfusions.

My white blood cell count is healthy without needing a recent blood transfusion.

My cancer can be measured and is at least 1.5 cm big on a CT scan.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a large tumor (10 cm or larger) according to a CT scan.

I am not taking any experimental drugs for my cancer.

I have not had severe infections, pancreatitis, stroke, or TIA in the recent past.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Induction Chemotherapy

Participants receive doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, and brentuximab vedotin every 28 days for 3 cycles

12 weeks

6 visits (in-person)

Consolidation Therapy

PET-positive participants receive brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab every 2 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by nivolumab alone for 8 cycles; PET-negative participants receive nivolumab every 2 weeks for 8 cycles

24 weeks

12 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

5 years

Follow-up at 4 and 8 weeks, every 3 or 6 months for 2 years, then annually for 3 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Brentuximab Vedotin
• Dacarbazine
• Doxorubicin
• Nivolumab
• Vinblastine

Trial Overview The trial tests a combination of chemotherapy drugs (doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) alongside brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab in patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. The aim is to see if this regimen can improve survival by killing cancer cells directly while also boosting the immune system's ability to fight cancer.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment (combination chemotherapy, nivolumab) Experimental Treatment 6 Interventions

Patients receive doxorubicin IV over 3-5 minutes, vinblastine IV over 3-5 minutes, and dacarbazine IV over \>= 30 minutes, and brentuximab vedotin IV over 30 minutes on days 1 and 15. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 3 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with PET-positive then receive brentuximab vedotin IV over 30 minutes and nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 2 weeks for 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. PET-positive patients then receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 2 weeks for 8 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. PET-negative patients receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes on day 1 starting after AVD and BV treatment. Treatment repeats every 2 weeks for 8 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Brentuximab Vedotin is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Adcetris for:

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma
• Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma
• CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides
• Peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Approved in European Union as Adcetris for:

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Academic and Community Cancer Research United

Lead Sponsor

Trials

54

Recruited

4,900+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a phase II trial involving 170 patients with early-stage unfavorable Hodgkin lymphoma, the combination of brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (BV-AVD) resulted in a higher PET-negative response rate (82.3%) after two cycles compared to the standard ABVD treatment (75.4%).

The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was also higher in the BV-AVD group (97.3%) compared to the ABVD group (92.6%), indicating that BV-AVD may offer a more effective treatment option for these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brentuximab Vedotin Plus AVD for First-Line Treatment of Early-Stage Unfavorable Hodgkin Lymphoma (BREACH): A Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized, Phase II Trial. Fornecker, LM., Lazarovici, J., Aurer, I., et al.[2023]

In a phase III trial involving 794 patients, the study found that both ABVD and Stanford V chemotherapy regimens had similar efficacy in treating stage I or II bulky mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma, with overall response rates of 83% and 88%, respectively.

At a median follow-up of 6.5 years, there were no significant differences in 5-year failure-free survival (85% for ABVD vs. 79% for Stanford V) or overall survival (96% for ABVD vs. 92% for Stanford V), indicating that both treatment options are viable for this patient group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized Phase III Trial Comparing ABVD Plus Radiotherapy With the Stanford V Regimen in Patients With Stages I or II Locally Extensive, Bulky Mediastinal Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Subset Analysis of the North American Intergroup E2496 Trial. Advani, RH., Hong, F., Fisher, RI., et al.[2021]

Brentuximab vedotin demonstrated a high overall objective response rate of 75% in 102 patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma and 86% in 58 patients with relapsed systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, indicating its efficacy as a targeted treatment.

The treatment was generally well tolerated, with peripheral neuropathy being the most common side effect; however, about half of the patients who experienced this side effect saw complete resolution.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brentuximab vedotin: a review of its use in patients with hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma following previous treatment failure. Garnock-Jones, KP.[2021]

In a study of 88 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, palonosetron demonstrated increasing efficacy, with complete response rates rising from 68.2% in the first cycle to 80.5% in the second cycle, and over 90% of patients remained emesis-free without additional antiemetics.

Palonosetron showed a favorable safety profile, with only 8% of treatment-emergent adverse events related to the drug, indicating it is a safe option for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multicenter phase IV study of palonosetron in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas undergoing repeated cycles of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Choi, BS., Borsaru, GP., Ballinari, G., et al.[2021]

In the phase III ECHELON-1 study involving 1,334 patients, older patients (aged ≥60) with classical Hodgkin lymphoma showed similar modified progression-free survival rates at 24 months when treated with brentuximab vedotin plus AVD (70.3%) compared to ABVD (71.4%).

While A+AVD demonstrated comparable efficacy to ABVD, it was associated with higher rates of grade 3/4 peripheral neuropathy (18% vs. 3%) and febrile neutropenia (37% vs. 17%), but lower rates of pulmonary toxicity, with no pulmonary-related deaths in the A+AVD group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Older patients (aged ≥60 years) with previously untreated advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma: a detailed analysis from the phase III ECHELON-1 study. Evens, AM., Connors, JM., Younes, A., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 62 randomized controlled trials found that the five-year overall survival rates for ABVD and BEACOPP regimens in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma were 60-97% and 84-99%, respectively, indicating high efficacy for both treatments.

The new treatment A+AVD showed improved efficacy compared to ABVD while maintaining an acceptable tolerability profile, suggesting it may be a more manageable option for patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of front-line treatments for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic literature review. Dalal, M., Gupta, J., Price, K., et al.[2021]

In a study of 32 classical Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, 47% experienced inadequate control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with palonosetron and dexamethasone, leading to a switch to netupitant and dexamethasone, which resulted in 53.3% achieving proper CINV control for subsequent cycles.

The switch to NEPA (netupitant/palonosetron) did not increase adverse events compared to the previous treatment, indicating that NEPA is well tolerated and does not interact negatively with standard chemotherapy agents like ABVD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and efficacy of netupitant/palonosetron and dexamethasone in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with inadequate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis with palonosetron and dexamethasone: a single-center real-life experience. Zilioli, VR., Muzi, C., Minga, P., et al.[2020]

In a study of 1334 patients with untreated stage III or IV Hodgkin's lymphoma, those treated with brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) showed a significant overall survival advantage compared to those receiving the standard ABVD regimen, with a 6-year survival rate of 93.9% versus 89.4%.

A+AVD also resulted in longer progression-free survival and fewer patients requiring subsequent therapies, although it was associated with a higher incidence of peripheral neuropathy, which mostly resolved by the last follow-up.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overall Survival with Brentuximab Vedotin in Stage III or IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Ansell, SM., Radford, J., Connors, JM., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3627331/

Safety and efficacy of brentuximab vedotin in patients with ... In phase II studies, brentuximab vedotin induced overall response rates of 75% and 86% in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large cell ...

2. nejm.org nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206125

Overall Survival with Brentuximab Vedotin in Stage III or IV ... The 6-year overall survival estimates were 93.9% (95% CI, 91.6 to 95.5) in the A+AVD group and 89.4% (95% CI, 86.6 to 91.7) in the ABVD group.

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41409-025-02557-7

Real-world outcomes of brentuximab vedotin as ... - Nature Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has a high cure rate, with more than 80% of patients with classic HL achieving long-term remission following first-line ...

4. adcetris.com adcetris.com/classical-hodgkin-lymphoma/about-adcetris/

How may I benefit from ADCETRIS? ADCETRIS was an effective treatment for classical Hodgkin lymphoma that has a high risk of coming back or getting worse after a stem cell transplant · ADCETRIS ...

5. ashpublications.org ashpublications.org/blood/article/128/12/1562/73112/Five-year-survival-and-durability-results-of

Five-year survival and durability results of brentuximab ... A total of 38% of patients who achieved CR (13 of 34) on brentuximab vedotin have remained in remission for >5 years and may be cured.

6. adcetrispro.com adcetrispro.com/classical-hodgkin-lymphoma-post-auto-hsct-consolidation/efficacy

ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Efficacy Data - Safety Info Five-year PFS from the AETHERA trial of brentuximab vedotin for Hodgkin lymphoma at high risk of progression or relapse. Blood. 2018;132:2639-2642. 4 ...

7. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12288-025-02093-w

A Multi-Center Retrospective Study on Survival and Safety Results. Among the patients (56.1% female, median age 33.5 years), the overall treatment response rate was 76.8%. The median OS was 13.6 ...

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03646123

NCT03646123 | Clinical Trial of Brentuximab Vedotin in ... This part of the trial will look at whether this combination of drugs is effective and tolerable in participants with Stage I or II cHL with non-bulky ...