Treatment Of Hodgkin Lymphoma Research Articles

POSTER: HL-122 Microbiota Changes in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment: Assessment With Il-17 and Il-12 Levels

POSTER: HL-122 Microbiota Changes in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment: Assessment With Il-17 and Il-12 Levels

HL-122 Microbiota Changes in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment: Assessment With Il-17 and Il-12 Levels

HL-122 Microbiota Changes in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment: Assessment With Il-17 and Il-12 Levels

Proton Therapy in the Adolescent and Young Adult Population.

Adolescent and young adult cancer patients are at high risk of developing radiation-associated side effects after treatment. Proton beam radiation therapy might reduce the risk of these side effects for this population without compromising treatment efficacy. We review the current literature describing the utility of proton beam radiation therapy in the treatment of central nervous system tumors, sarcomas, breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma for the adolescent and young adult cancer population. Proton beam radiation therapy has utility for the treatment of certain cancers in the young adult population. Preliminary data suggest reduced radiation dose to normal tissues, which might reduce radiation-associated toxicities. Research is ongoing to further establish the role of proton therapy in this population. This report highlights the potential utility of proton beam radiation for certain adolescent young adult cancers, especially with reducing radiation doses to organs at risk and thereby potentially lowering risks of certain treatment-associated toxicities.

Incorporating Monoclonal Antibodies into the First-Line Treatment of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma.

The long-term survival of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients treated according to the current standard of care is excellent. Combined-modality schedules (ABVD plus radiotherapy) in early-stage disease, along with treatment intensity adaptation to early metabolic response assessed by PET/CT in advanced stage HL, have been the cornerstones of risk stratification and treatment decision-making, minimizing treatment-related complications while keeping efficacy. Nevertheless, a non-negligible number of patients are primary refractory or relapse after front-line treatment. Novel immunotherapeutic agents, namely Brentuximab Vedotin (BV) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI), have already shown outstanding efficacy in a relapsed/refractory setting in recent landmark studies. Several phase 2 single-arm studies suggest that the addition of these agents in the frontline setting could further improve long-term disease control permitting one to reduce the exposure to cytotoxic drugs. However, a longer follow-up is needed. At the time of this writing, the only randomized phase 3 trial so far published is the ECHELON-1, which compares 1 to 1 BV-AVD (Bleomycin is replaced by BV) with standard ABVD in untreated advanced-stage III and IV HL. The ECHELON-1 trial has proven that BV-AVD is safe and more effective both in terms of long-term disease control and overall survival. Just recently, the results of the S1826 SWOG trial demonstrated that the combination nivolumab-AVD (N-AVD) is better than BV-AVD, while preliminary results of other randomized ongoing phase 3 trials incorporating anti-PD-1 in this setting will be soon available. The aim of this review is to present the recent data regarding these novel agents in first-line treatment of HL and to highlight current and future trends which will hopefully reshape the overall management of this disease.

Impact of cumulative dose of brentuximab vedotin on outcomes of frontline therapy for advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma

AbstractIn the pivotal study ECHELON-1, brentuximab vedotin (BV), doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A + AVD) demonstrated superior efficacy compared with bleomycin + AVD for the treatment of advanced-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). However, there are minimal available data regarding the frequency of dose reductions or omission of BV during curative therapy and the potential impact on patient outcomes. In a real-world analysis, we retrospectively reviewed the characteristics and outcomes of 179 patients with stage III or IV cHL treated with frontline A + AVD from January 2010 to April 2022. Treatment consisted of up to 1.2 mg/kg of BV and standard dose AVD IV on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for up to 6 cycles. At the time of treatment, the median patient age was 37 years, and a high-risk International Prognostic Score was observed in 46% of patients. Overall, 91% of patients received 6 cycles of AVD; 55% of patients did not receive the intended cumulative dose of BV (CDB); 28% of patients received two-thirds or less than the planned CDB. At a median follow-up time of 27.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.8-29), the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached, and the 12-month PFS was 90.3% (95% CI, 85.9-95.0). The impact of CDB on PFS was not significant (P = .15), nor was high CDB significantly associated with increased adverse events. In real-world experience, A + AVD is a highly effective treatment for patients with advanced-stage cHL, including for patients with prominent dose reductions of BV.

Long-Term Adverse Effects of Neck Radiotherapy in Childhood on the Carotid Arteries in Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma are recognized to have an increased risk of stroke and carotid artery disease owing to neck irradiation (RT). However, it remains unclear whether the vascular modifications induced by the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma during childhood persist over the long term. Our matched study involved 79 survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma in childhood who received neck RT and 57 healthy controls. Parameters of arterial stiffness (AS), intima-media thickness (IMT), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of carotid arteries were assessed using ultrasound. Our patient cohort demonstrated a significant increase in AS compared to controls (p < 0.05), though no such disparity was observed for FMD (p = 0.111). Neck RT intensified AS (B = 0.037, p = 0.000), while anthracyclines attenuated it (B = -0.803, p = 0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between neck RT (p < 0.001) and AS. However, we found no significant association between neck RT and FMD (p = 0.277). We identified a substantial positive correlation between the dose of neck RT and AS. Vascular changes in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma after neck RT seem to be long-term. Therefore, these patients may have an increased risk of stroke. We suggest refinement of international guidelines according to our results.

Assessment of Changes in Tumor Volume Following Chemotherapy For Nodular Sclerosıng Hodgkin Lymphoma (NSHL)

Objective: Hodgkin lymphoma is a critical malignancy which may be seen during childhood and adolescence. Since it may be observed in younger patients, treatment strategies should be considered thoroughly to achieve optimal results in terms of local control and treatment related adverse effects. Systemic therapy plays a critical role in treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma. In this study, we evaluated changes in tumor volume following chemotherapy for nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma (NSHL).

Nivolumab plus Brentuximab vedotin +/- bendamustine combination therapy: a safe and effective treatment in pediatric recurrent and refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is the most common pediatric lymphoma. Approximately 10% of patients develop refractory or recurrent disease. These patients are treated with intensive chemotherapy followed by consolidation with radiotherapy or high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell reinfusion. Although this treatment is effective, it comes at the cost of severe long-term adverse events, such as reduced fertility and an increased risk of secondary cancers. Recently, promising results of inducing remission with the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab (targeting PD-1) and the anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate Brentuximab vedotin (BV) +/- bendamustine were published. Here we describe a cohort of 10 relapsed and refractory pediatric cHL patients treated with nivolumab + BV +/- bendamustine to induce remission prior to consolidation with standard treatment. All patients achieved complete remission prior to consolidation treatment and are in ongoing complete remission with a median follow-up of 25 months (range: 12 to 42 months) after end-of-treatment. Only one adverse event of CTCAE grade 3 or higher due to nivolumab + BV was identified. Based on these results we conclude that immunotherapy with nivolumab + BV +/- bendamustine is an effective and safe treatment to induce remission in pediatric R/R cHL patients prior to standard consolidation treatment. We propose to evaluate this treatment further to study putative long-term toxicity and the possibility to reduce the intensity of consolidation treatment.

Optimising treatment of HIV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma

Optimising treatment of HIV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma

Clinical and self-reported markers of reproductive function in female survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma.

To evaluate the impact of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) on clinical reproductive markers and pregnancy outcomes. This study was embedded within the DCOG LATER-VEVO study; a Dutch, multicenter, retrospective cohort study between 2004 and 2014. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), inhibin B, antral follicle count (AFC), and self-reported (first) pregnancy outcomes were evaluated in female childhood HL survivors and controls. 84 HL survivors and 798 controls were included, aged 29.6 and 32.7years old at time of assessment. Median age at HL diagnosis was 13.4years. Cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED-score) exceeded 6000mg/m2 in 56 women and 14 survivors received pelvic irradiation. All clinical markers were significantly deteriorated in survivors (odds-ratio for low AMH (< p10) 10.1 [95% CI 4.9; 20.6]; low AFC (< p10) 4.6 [95% CI 2.1; 9.9]; elevated FSH (> 10IU/l) 15.3 [95% CI 5.7; 41.1], low Inhibin B (< 20ng/l) 3.6 [ 95% CI 1.7; 7.7], p < 0.001). Pregnancy outcomes were comparable between survivors and controls (± 80% live birth, ± 20% miscarriage). However, survivors were significantly younger at first pregnancy (27.0years vs 29.0 years, P = 0.04). Adjusted odds-ratio for time to pregnancy > 12months was 2.5 [95% CI 1.1; 5.6] in survivors, p = 0.031. Adverse outcomes were specifically present after treatment with procarbazine and higher CED-score. HL survivors appear to have an impaired ovarian reserve. However, chance to achieve pregnancy seems reassuring at a young age. Additional follow-up studies are needed to assess fertile life span and reproductive potential of HL survivors, in particular for current HL treatments that are hypothesized to be less gonadotoxic.

Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Hodgkin lymphoma.

The goal of therapy in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is to maximize overall survival while minimizing the morbidity of curative therapy. Key findings from recent Children's Oncology Group (COG) trials include: (i) superior event-free survival with the addition of brentuximab vedotin (Bv) in frontline regimens for high-risk disease, (ii) successful reduction in myeloablative regimens with demonstrated safety and efficacy of Bv and checkpoint inhibitor therapy in relapsed disease, and (ii) the potential to select a population that can be salvaged after relapse without receiving a stem cell transplant. The COG HL committee will lead a National cancer Institute National Clinical Trials Network phase 3 trial to evaluate the combination of Bv/nivolumab in early-stage disease. Ongoing advances in technology and blood biomarkers are increasing the ability to deliver biologically driven, personalized treatment for HL.

Improved survival of autologous stem cell transplantation in primary refractory and relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma in the brentuximab vedotin era — real-world data from Hungary

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment of primary refractory or relapsed Hodgkin-lymphoma, which can provide a cure rate of about 50%. The aim of our study was to analyze the data of 126 HL patients undergoing AHSCT in Hungary between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2020. We assessed the progression-free and overall survival, the prognostic role of PET/CT performed before transplantation and effect of brentuximab vedotin (BV) treatment on survival outcomes. The median follow-up time from AHSCT was 39 (1–76) months. The 5-year OS comparing PET- and PET + patients was 90% v. 74% (p = 0.039), and 5-year PFS was 74% v. 40% (p = 0.001). There was no difference in either OS or PFS compared to those who did not receive BV before AHSCT. We compared BV treatments based on their indication (BV only after AHSCT as maintenance therapy, BV before and after AHSCT as maintenance treatment, BV only before AHSCT, no BV treatment). There was statistically significant difference in the 5-year PFS based on the inication of BV therapy. Recovery rates of our R/R HL patient population, who underwent AHSCT, improved significantly. Our positive results can be attributed to the PET/CT directed, response-adapted treatment approach, and the widespread use of BV.

Risk of male breast cancer after Hodgkin lymphoma

AbstractFemale survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treated with chest radiotherapy have a strongly increased risk of breast cancer (BC), but the treatment-specific BC risk in male survivors of HL has not been evaluated. We assessed BC risk in a cohort of 3077 male survivors of 5-year HL treated at age ≤51 years in 20 Dutch hospitals between 1965 and 2013. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), absolute excess risks per 10 000 person-years, and cumulative BC incidences. After a 20-year median follow-up, we observed 8 cases of male with BC. Male survivors of HL experienced a 23-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.1-46.0) increased BC risk compared with the general population, representing 1.6 (95% CI, 0.7-3.3) excess BC incidences per 10 000 person-years. The 20- and 40-year cumulative BC incidences after HL treatment were 0.1% (95% CI, 0.02-0.3) and 0.7% (95% CI, 0.3-1.4), respectively. Treatment with chest radiotherapy without alkylating chemotherapy yielded a strongly increased SIR (20.7; 95% CI, 2.5-74.8), which was not significantly different for chest radiotherapy and alkylating chemotherapy (41.1; 95% CI, 13.4-96.0). Males treated with chest radiotherapy and anthracyclines had an SIR of 48.1 (95% CI, 13.1-123.1). Two patients died from BC (median follow-up, 4.7 years). To ensure early diagnosis and treatment, clinicians should be alert to BC symptoms in male survivors of HL.

Pharmaceutical assessment of the rationale of the application of chemotherapy schemes containing immunotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma

The use of new chemotherapy regimens for Hodgkin lymphoma, containing immunotherapeutic drugs, such as brentuximab vedotin, is an urgent direction in the development of modern oncohematology. The inclusion of these drugs in programs of financial support for hematological oncology patients by the state requires an assessment of the rationality of their use under the conditions of the current health care resource provision.&#x0D; The aim of the research is to carry out a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the rationality of the use of brentuximab vedotin drugs in the treatment of classic Hodgkin lymphoma.&#x0D; Materials – the results of clinical studies of the effectiveness of two chemotherapy regimens for Hodgkin lymphoma (BrECAPP and BrECADD), which were published by German scientists in 2017 (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CN-01443068), data from the domestic market of anticancer drugs and state procurement of medicines. General theoretical and applied (organizational and economic, marketing and pharmacoeconomic analysis, mathematical and statistical, etc.) research methods were applied.&#x0D; According to the results of the pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the rationality of the use of the BrECAPP and BrECADD schemes in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma, it was established that according to the indices of complete response after chemotherapy (%) the BrECADD scheme has clinical and economic advantages of application, and according to the index of complete remission as the final result of treatment (%), the situation is quite the opposite, that is, the BrECAPP scheme has advantages. The evaluation of the safety profile of the application makes it possible to assert the advantages of the application of the BrECADD scheme. Thus, taking into account the three indices under study (organ toxicity (%), manifestations of peripheral neuropathies (%) and the development of hematological side effects (%)), the indicated scheme had a clinical and economic advantage over the alternative scheme in two indices. This is organ toxicity (%), CEA2 = UAH 3,323.87/unit. ef. (%) against CEA1 = UAH 3,854.52/unit. ef. (%) according to the BrECAPP scheme and the development of hematological side effects (%) – CEA2 = UAH 29,008.32/unit. ef. (%) against CEA1 = UAH 29,084.14/unit. ef. (%) according to the BrECAPP scheme.&#x0D; In general, it can be stated that the BrECADD scheme is more rational and has economic advantages in the treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma compared to the BrECAPP regimen in terms of clinical efficacy and safety profile.

Treatment of Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: Where Do We Stand? Where Do We Go?

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare B cell-derived lymphoma entity accounting for ≈5% of all Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cases. In recent decades, patients with newly diagnosed NLPHL have usually been treated very similarly to classical HL (cHL). The 10-year overall survival rates with HL-directed approaches are in excess of 90%. However, pathological and clinical characteristics of NLPHL resemble indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) in some aspects. Thus, nodular lymphocyte-predominant B-cell lymphoma has been proposed as an alternative name, and the use of B-NHL-directed treatment strategies has become more common in NLPHL despite limited data. Given the often indolent clinical course of NLPHL, even in the case of relapse, the majority of patients with disease recurrence do not require high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation but are treated sufficiently with low-intensity approaches such as single-agent anti-CD20 antibody treatment. The establishment of novel prognostic scores for NLPHL patients may optimize risk group and treatment allocation in newly diagnosed and relapsed disease.

P-432 Gonadal function and fertility preservation in girls with Hodgkin lymphoma treated according to the EURONET-PHL-C2 Protocol: the fertility add-on study

Abstract Study question What is the gonadotoxic potential of the EURONET-PHL-C2 treatment protocol for female childhood Hodgkin lymphoma patients, and how frequently are co-treatments to preserve fertility applied? Summary answer Treatment-induced amenorrhea (72%) persisted in &amp;gt; 10% of cases. Results on AMH are available by April 2023. Fertility preserving (co-)treatments were applied in 27% of patients. What is known already Current treatment for childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is highly effective with survival rates exceeding 90%. However, HL treatment affects gonadal function and HL survivors were proven to be at risk of premature ovarian insufficiency. In effort to reduce late effects, treatment protocols were adapted and toxic procarbazine was successfully omitted. The current EuroNET-PHL-C2 protocol aims to reduce use of radiotherapy by intensifying chemotherapy. The cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide is increased by 25% in the intensified treatment-arm, the impact of this change in therapeutic protocol on gonadal function is currently unknown. Therefore, a fertility study was incorporated in the EuroNET-PHL-C2 study. Study design, size, duration This international, prospective, multicenter cohort study is embedded in the EuroNET-PHL-C2 study, an European phase-3 treatment study evaluating the effectivity of HL treatment with OEPA-COPDAC (OEPA: vincristine sulfate (oncovin), etoposide, prednisolone and doxorubicin (adriamycin); COPDAC: cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate (oncovin), prednisone and dacarbazine) versus OEPA-DECOPDAC (DECOPDAC: COPDAC with additional doxorubicin and etoposide) in a randomized setting. In the present fertility add-on study, 205 (104 girls, 101 boys) patients were included between January 2017 and September 2021. Participants/materials, setting, methods Female patients, aged &amp;lt;18 years, treated according to the EuroNet-PHL-C2 protocol for classical HL, were recruited across 18 sites (the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic). All parents and patients (aged ≥12 years old) provided written informed consent. Serum AMH levels and menstrual cycle were evaluated over time (at diagnosis, during- and directly after treatment, 2 years post-diagnosis) and compared between OEPA-COPDAC and OEPA-DECOPDAC treatment groups. Moreover, use of available fertility preservation treatments was evaluated. Main results and the role of chance In the present analysis, 100 girls were included of whom 88 completed 2 years of follow up. Median age at diagnosis was 15 years (7-18), 8 girls were prepubertal and 92 post pubertal (87% postmenarchal). 17 girls were diagnosed at an early stage of HL (TL1) and 83 in more advanced stages (TL2/TL3, 66% received COPDAC and 33% DECOPDAC). 5 patients (5%) were irradiated in the pelvic area. Of the 46 postmenarchal girls who did not receive hormonal contraceptives during treatment, 33 (72%) experienced treatment-induced amenorrhea, at least 4 (12%) had persisting amenorrhea at 2 years post-diagnosis. 4 girls (22%) who stopped taking hormonal contraceptives after treatment had no (return of) spontaneous cycle. 2 girls (2%) underwent ovariopexy. 4 girls cryopreserved oocytes before treatment and 12 cryopreserved ovarian tissue (OTC). 15 (15%) received GnRH analogues as a co-treatment. Data on AMH-levels up to 2 years post-diagnosis will be available by April 2023. Change in AMH will be evaluated, comparing number of received chemotherapy-cycles (3/4/6), DECOPDAC versus COPDAC and pubertal stage at time of diagnosis. Additional analyses will be performed to assess the impact of applied fertility preservation methods on gonadal function (i.e. AMH levels after OTC or receiving GnRH agonist). Limitations, reasons for caution The current analysis included data up to 2 years post-diagnosis. Potential recovery or late emerging effects of treatment remain unknown. The studied population comprises young girls with diagnosis of HL often concurring with pubertal transition, during which AMH levels naturally rise. SD z-scored will be used to analyze AMH results. Wider implications of the findings The fertility add-on study is the first study to prospectively evaluate reproductive markers in children treated for HL. Study results are highly valuable to determine effect of the proposed new treatment regimen for childhood HL on fertility . Trial registration number Clinicaltrials NCT02684708; EudraCT number 2012-004053-88

O-083 Ovarian reserve, Reproductive function and Pregnancy outcomes among Female survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma: results from the DCOG LATER-VEVO Later study

Abstract Study question What is the impact of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) on clinical reproductive markers and pregnancy outcomes? Summary answer Impaired markers of ovarian reserve in childhood HL survivors substantiate risk of a reduced fertile life span. Pregnancy outcomes seem reassuring at a young age. What is known already Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is nowadays highly curable with survival rates over 90%. Chemotherapy and radiation are associated with late adverse effects including risk of reduced ovarian function and -reserve. Study design, size, duration This study was embedded within the DCOG LATER-VEVO study, a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study performed between 2004 and 2014, in which the reproductive ability of 1106 female childhood cancer survivors was studied and compared to 798 controls (siblings and females from the general population). Participants/materials, setting, methods The current analysis included all female childhood HL survivors, treated between 1963 and 2002, and controls who provided written informed consent to participate in the LATER-VEVO study. Data collection consisted of a questionnaire and timed clinical measurements (blood sample and transvaginal ultrasound). Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), FSH, inhibin B, the antral follicle count (AFC) and self-reported (first) pregnancy rates and -outcomes were evaluated in linear and logistic regression models . Main results and the role of chance 84 HL survivors and 798 controls were included, aged 29.6 (IQR 19.8-36.6) and 32.7 (IQR 19.7-49.6) years old at time of assessment. Median age at HL diagnosis was 13.4 years (IQR 6.4-16.4), with median time since diagnosis of 16.5 (IQR 8.4;36.6) years. Cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED-score) exceeded 6000mg/m2 in 56 women and 14 survivors received pelvic irradiation. All clinical markers were significantly deteriorated in survivors (odds-ratio for low AMH (&amp;lt;p10) 10.1 [95%CI 4.9;20.6]; low AFC (&amp;lt;p10) 4.6 [95%CI 2.1;9.9]; elevated FSH (&amp;gt;10IU/l) 15.3 [95%CI 5.7;41.1], low Inhibin B (&amp;lt;20ng/l) 3.6 [ 95%CI 1.7;7.7], all p &amp;lt; 0.001, 45 survivors and 413 controls). Pregnancy and live birth rates were comparable between survivors and controls (±80% live birth, ±20% miscarriage). However survivors were significantly younger of age at first pregnancy (27.0 years vs 29.0 yrs, P = 0.04, 42 survivors and 389 controls). Time to first pregnancy seemed to be increased in survivors (adjusted odds-ratio for time to pregnancy &amp;gt;12 months was 2.5 [95% CI 1.1;5.6] in survivors, p = 0.031). No significant differences in birth weight or gestational age were observed. Gonadotoxicity was specifically present after treatment with procarbazine and higher CED-score. No clear effect of age at diagnosis was observed. Limitations, reasons for caution The studied cohort comprised a relatively young population. Risk of premature ovarian insufficiency could not be assessed and a considerable number of women indicated they considered themselves too young to aim to achieve pregnancy. Heterogeneity in received treatment and sample size issues complicated the extent of the analyses. Wider implications of the findings HL survivors appear to have an impaired ovarian reserve, however chance to achieve pregnancy seems reassuring at a young age. Additional studies are needed to assess fertile life span and reproductive potential of HL survivors, in particular for current HL treatments that are hypothesized to be less gonadotoxic. Trial registration number NTR2922

Peripherally inserted central catheter insertion and management in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas: a 13-year monocentric experience

BackgroundNon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) are two of the most common hematologic diseases that require an infusion of immunochemotherapies in conjunction with radiotherapy, often in an outpatient setting. For relapsed/refractory disease, autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and sometimes allogeneic transplantation (HSCT) are considered standard treatment options. Recently, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and bispecific antibodies have emerged as an important and effective option for the treatment of relapsed/refractory patients. These medical approaches deserve effective, safe, and durable vascular access, especially for the ambulatory population undergoing discontinuous treatment associated with high rates of complications and life-threatening toxicities. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are vascular devices with an intermediate-to-long-term lifespan that are inserted ultrasonically into a peripheral brachial vein. Their ease of insertion by trained nurses and low rate of catheter-related infectious and thrombotic complications make them ideal devices for treating oncology and hematology patients.PurposeIn this study, we aim to demonstrate that PICCs are an essential tool for the treatment of HL and NHL patients in terms of efficiency and safetyMethods and resultsFrom March 2007 to June 2020, 316 PICC implantations were performed by our PICC team in 276 HL patients and 363 PICC in 322 NHL patients. The total lifespan of the PICCs was 50,660 days in HL and 43,919 days in NHL patients. Most PICCs were removed at the end of therapy, and the rate of mechanical complications was low. Only one and four episodes of confirmed PICC-related catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) (0.3%; 0.02/1,000 days/PICC and 1.2%; 0.07/1,000 days/PICC) were recorded in HL and NHL patients, respectively. There were only 11 (3.6%; 0.25/1,000 days/PICC) and nine (2.6%; 0.17/1,000 days/PICC) episodes of symptomatic PICC-related thrombotic complications in HL and NHL patients, respectively, without removal.ConclusionOur data indicate that the PICC can be considered the device of choice for treating HL and NHL patients because it is easy to insert, safe to use, long-lasting, and has a low complication rate, especially in the outpatient setting.

FDG PET/CT as a Tool for Early Detection of Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity

Bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity (BPT) is a serious and potentially fatal complication of bleomycin, a key component of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treatment. Before ours, only one published study evaluated the predictability of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for the early diagnosis of BPT. In this retrospective cohort study, 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans of adult HL patients treated with bleomycin at an urban academic center over five years were assessed by radiologists blinded to the clinical information, and scans were correlated with clinical BPT. We found 11 HL patients with 54 interim or end-of-treatment 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans who had received bleomycin. Five of the eleven (5/11, 45%) patients had radiographic changes in PET/CT and developed clinical BPT. Patients with clinical BPT had higher FDG uptake in lungs compared to those who did not (SUVmax mean 2.66 (CI 1.8–3.7) vs. 0.86 (CI 0.4–1.9), Mann–Whitney U test, p &lt; 0.05). In a separate cohort analysis, we compared HL patients with clinical BPT (9/25, 36%) and without clinical BPT (16/25, 64%) to assess potential risk factors. Low hemoglobin (p = 0.037) and high ESR values (p = 0.0289) were associated with clinical BPT. Furthermore, gender, stage, histology, prior lung radiation, G-CSF, or steroids did not significantly confer a higher risk of BPT. 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging, which is routinely used to assess treatment response in HL, is useful for early detection of BPT, which can have high mortality and morbidity.

Interim PET-guided treatment for early-stage NLPHL: a subgroup analysis of the randomized GHSG HD16 and HD17 studies

AbstractThe optimal first-line treatment for nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) diagnosed in early stages is largely undefined. We, therefore, analyzed 100 NLPHL patients treated in the randomized HD16 (early-stage favorable; n = 85) and HD17 (early-stage unfavorable; n = 15) studies. These studies investigated the omission of consolidation radiotherapy (RT) in patients with a negative interim positron emission tomography (iPET) (ie, Deauville score <3) after chemotherapy (HD16: 2× doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine [ABVD]; HD17: 2× escalated bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone [BEACOPP] plus 2× ABVD). Patients with NLPHL treated in the HD16 and HD17 studies had 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates of 90.3% and 92.9%, respectively. Thus, the 5-year PFS did not differ significantly from that of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated within the same studies (HD16: P = .88; HD17: P = .50). Patients with early-stage favorable NLPHL who had a negative iPET after 2× ABVD and did not undergo consolidation RT tended to have a worse 5-year PFS than patients with a negative iPET who received consolidation RT (83% vs 100%; P = .05). There were 10 cases of NLPHL recurrence. However, no NLPHL patient died during follow-up. Hence, the 5-year overall survival rate was 100%. Taken together, contemporary Hodgkin lymphoma-directed treatment approaches result in excellent outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed early-stage NLPHL and, thus, represent valid treatment options. In early-stage favorable NLPHL, consolidation RT appears necessary after 2× ABVD to achieve the optimal disease control irrespective of the iPET result.