The IVDG Regimen is the Possible Treatment of Choice as First Line Therapy For Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Elderly Patients with Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Comorbidity

Abstract

Background. Among the newly diagnosed patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), the proportion of elderly patients account for 15-35 %. In > 60 age group the choice of antitumor treatment requires an more individualised approach compared to a younger population. The ABVD regimen is acceptable in terms of efficiency and hematological toxicity, but is associated with a high risk of bleomycine-induced pulmonary complications. In > 60 age group the morbitity and mortality of pulmonary complications account for 24 % and 18 %, respectively. Aim. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the IVDG regimen in comparison with ABVD by the principle of “non-inferiority”. Materials & Methods. This single centre, prospective, controlled, randomised study was started in 2009. The study included all primary patients aged > 60 years with verified HL, regardless of the number and severity of comorbidities. The ABVD regimen was administered in 17 patients, and 20 patients received IVDG. The median age in the ABVD and IVDG groups was 67 and 70 years, respectively. The advanced stages of HL were reported in 13 (65 %) patients on IVDG, and in 12 (71 %) patients on ABVD (p = 0.9). Both of the groups were comparable in terms of the prevalence of chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The prevalence of ischemic heart disease was higher in the IVDG group (n = 16) compared to ABVD (n = 8) (p = 0.04). Results. IVDG and ABVD groups did not differ in the frequency of complete (14 and 10) and partial (3 and 4) remissions. Differences in 5-year overall survival were insignificant: 49 % in the IVDG group, vs 22 % in ABVD group (p = 0.41). No infectious or hemorrhagic complications were observed in both groups. The incidence of drug-induced pulmonary fibrosis after treatment was significantly lower in the IVDG group (n = 0) vs ABVD group (n = 4; 24 %) (p = 0.004). Conclusion. The IVDG regimen may be used as first line treatment for HL in the elderly patients, especially in those having cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities. Compared to ABVD the IVDG regimen had similar efficacy and more beneficial safety profile in terms of cardiovascular and pulmonary toxicity.