MOPP/ABV hybrid chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease significantly improves failure-free and overall survival: the 8-year results of the intergroup trial

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.

Efficacies and Toxicities of Seven Chemotherapy Regimens for Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background/Aims: Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) has become one of the most treatable cancers, with more than 80% patients in the advanced stage being cured through improvement of therapeutic regimens. Nevertheless, some treatments were accompanied with toxicities. Methods: In the current study, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to compare the efficacies and toxicities of different chemotherapy regimens for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). We reviewed PubMed and EMBASE databases from inception to May 2018, and identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which advanced HL patients received chemotherapy. Fourteen eligible RCTs published between 1992 and 2017 were enrolled in this NMA. These studies included a total of 5,964 HL patients, and assessed at least one of seven different chemotherapy regimens. Direct and indirect evidence was combined to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and to establish a surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve. Results: A cluster analysis was performed to evaluate efficacies and toxicities of different regimens. The COPP + ABVD (cyclophosphamide + vincristine + procarbazine + prednisone + doxorubicin + bleomycin + vinblastine + dacarbazine) regimen had the highest SUCRA partial response and overall remission rate values, while the ABVD regimen resulted in the lowest incidences of anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and leucopenia. Conclusion: Cluster analysis revealed that COPP + ABVD had the best efficacy against advanced HL among the seven regimens, and ABVD had the lowest toxicity.

Efficacy and safety of front-line treatments for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

To assess evidence on the safety and efficacy of ABVD (doxorubicin [Adriamycin®], bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine), BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone), and A+AVD (brentuximab vedotin, with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) for advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

METHODS

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted on 29 July 2016 (updated 26 July 2018) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs assessing the treatment of newly-diagnosed advanced-stage HL with ABVD and BEACOPP (and their variants), and A+AVD.

RESULTS

The SLR identified 62 RCTs and 42 non-RCTs. Five-year overall survival rates for ABVD and BEACOPP were 60-97% and 84-99%, and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 58-81% and 83-96%, respectively. Both regimens were associated with tolerability issues and side effects. Discontinuation or dose reduction of bleomycin resulted in fewer adverse events, without significantly affecting efficacy. A head-to-head trial demonstrated improved efficacy for A+AVD vs ABVD, with an acceptable tolerability profile. No data from head-to-head trials comparing A+AVD with BEACOPP were available, and an indirect treatment comparison was not feasible.

CONCLUSION

New therapies, such as A+AVD, maintain the efficacy observed with current treatments, and may provide a more tolerable treatment option for patients with advanced-stage HL.

Comparative effectiveness of different chemotherapy regimens of advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma in adults: a network meta-analysis

Background

Combined chemotherapy is the cornerstone treatment for patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The objective of our study was to perform a network meta-analysis of the efficacy of different chemotherapy regimens in adults with advanced-stage HL.

Materials and methods

We searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in titles/abstracts in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The search was last updated on April 3, 2018. RCTs that assessed the effectiveness of one of the following treatments were included: doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD); four cycles of increased dose of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPP_escalated) followed by two or four cycles of standard dose of BEACOPP (4× BEACOPP_escalated + 2 or 4× BEACOPP_baseline); brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD); doxorubicin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, and prednisone combined with radiation therapy (Stanford V); mechlorethamine (cyclophosphamide), vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (M[C] OPP); sequential or alternating chemotherapy regimens with ABVD as the footstone (eg, COPP/ABVD or mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone [MOPP]/ABVD); eight cycles of BEACOPP_escalated; hybrid MOPP/ABV; and M[C]EC (M[C]OPP with epidoxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine [EBV], and lomustine, doxorubicin, and vindesine [CAD]).

Results

Overall, we screened 3,564 citations and deemed 18 reports of 16 trials eligible and included them in our network meta-analysis. A total of 11,928 participants were randomly assigned to one of the 12 combinations of chemotherapy regimens, of which 11,476 participants were analyzed. For the overall survival (OS), no differences were observed within any interventions when the ABVD regimen was used as the reference treatment. Similarly, relative to A+AVD, 8× BEACOPP_escalated and 6× BEACOPP_escalated also showed no differences (HR =1.07, 95% credible interval (CrI): 0.58–1.95; HR =0.62, 95% CrI: 0.16–1.83; and HR =0.71, 95% CrI: 0.30–1.72, respectively). In terms of complete remission (CR), enough evidence exists to support a maximum clinical treatment effect for 6× BEACOPP_escalated (OR =1.88, 95% CrI: 1.20–2.96; and OR =3.43, 95% CrI: 1.87–6.24).

Conclusion

When compared across the 12 combined chemotherapy regimens, six cycles of BEACOPP_escalated may be the optimal treatment for patients with advanced-stage HL.

Combined therapy in children and adolescents with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: A report from the SFCE on MDH-03 national guidelines

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in children and adolescents is highly curable, but children are at risk of long-term toxicity. The MDH-03 guidelines were established in order to decrease the burden of treatment in good-responder patients, and this report should be considered a step toward further optimization of treatment within large collaborative trials. We report the therapy and long-term outcomes of 417 children and adolescents treated according to the national guidelines, which were applied between 2003 and 2007 in France. The patients were stratified into three groups according to disease extension. Chemotherapy consisted of four cycles of VBVP (vinblastine, bleomycin, VP16, prednisone) in localized stages (G1/95 pts/23%), four cycles of COPP/ABV (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine) cycles in intermediate stages (G2/184 pts/44%) and three cycles of OPPA (vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, adriamycin) plus three cycles of COPP in advanced stages (G3/138 pts/33%). Radiation therapy of the involved field was given to 97% of the patients, with the dose limited to 20 Gy in good responders (88%). With a median follow-up of 6.6 years, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 86.7% (83.1-89.7%) and 97% (94.5-98.1%), respectively. EFS and OS for G1, G2, and G3 were 98% and 100%, 81% and 97%, and 87% and 95%, respectively. Low-risk patients treated without alkylating agents and anthracycline had excellent outcomes and a low expected incidence of late effects. Intensification with a third OPPA cycle in high-risk group patients, including stage IV patients, allowed for very good outcomes, without increased toxicity.

Reduced-intensity chemotherapy and PET-guided radiotherapy in patients with advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HD15 trial): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

The intensity of chemotherapy and need for additional radiotherapy in patients with advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma has been unclear. We did a prospective randomised clinical trial comparing two reduced-intensity chemotherapy variants with our previous standard regimen. Chemotherapy was followed by PET-guided radiotherapy.

METHODS

In this parallel group, open-label, multicentre, non-inferiority trial (HD15), 2182 patients with newly diagnosed advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma aged 18-60 years were randomly assigned to receive either eight cycles of BEACOPP(escalated) (8×B(esc) group), six cycles of BEACOPP(escalated) (6×B(esc) group), or eight cycles of BEACOPP(14) (8×B(14) group). Randomisation (1:1:1) was done centrally by stratified minimisation. Non-inferiority of the primary endpoint, freedom from treatment failure, was assessed using repeated CIs for the hazard ratio (HR) according to the intention-to-treat principle. Patients with a persistent mass after chemotherapy measuring 2·5 cm or larger and positive on PET scan received additional radiotherapy with 30 Gy; the negative predictive value for tumour recurrence of PET at 12 months was an independent endpoint. This trial is registered with Current Controlled Trials, number ISRCTN32443041.

FINDINGS

Of the 2182 patients enrolled in the study, 2126 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis set, 705 in the 8×B(esc) group, 711 in the 6×B(esc) group, and 710 in the 8×B(14) group. Freedom from treatment failure was sequentially non-inferior for the 6×B(esc) and 8×B(14) groups as compared with 8×B(esc). 5-year freedom from treatment failure rates were 84·4% (97·5% CI 81·0-87·7) for the 8×B(esc) group, 89·3% (86·5-92·1) for 6×B(esc) group, and 85·4% (82·1-88·7) for the 8×B(14) group (97·5% CI for difference between 6×B(esc) and 8×B(esc) was 0·5-9·3). Overall survival in the three groups was 91·9%, 95·3%, and 94·5% respectively, and was significantly better with 6×B(esc) than with 8×B(esc) (97·5% CI 0·2-6·5). The 8×B(esc) group showed a higher mortality (7·5%) than the 6×B(esc) (4·6%) and 8×B(14) (5·2%) groups, mainly due to differences in treatment-related events (2·1%, 0·8%, and 0·8%, respectively) and secondary malignancies (1·8%, 0·7%, and 1·1%, respectively). The negative predictive value for PET at 12 months was 94·1% (95% CI 92·1-96·1); and 225 (11%) of 2126 patients received additional radiotherapy.

INTERPRETATION

Treatment with six cycles of BEACOPP(escalated) followed by PET-guided radiotherapy was more effective in terms of freedom from treatment failure and less toxic than eight cycles of the same chemotherapy regimen. Thus, six cycles of BEACOPP(escalated) should be the treatment of choice for advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma. PET done after chemotherapy can guide the need for additional radiotherapy in this setting.

FUNDING

Deutsche Krebshilfe and the Swiss Federal Government.

Eight Cycles of Escalated-Dose BEACOPP Compared With Four Cycles of Escalated-Dose BEACOPP Followed by Four Cycles of Baseline-Dose BEACOPP With or Without Radiotherapy in Patients With Advanced-Stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Final Analysis of the HD12 Trial of the German Hodgkin Study Group

Purpose

Eight cycles of BEACOPPescalated (escalated dose of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) followed by radiotherapy (RT) to initial bulk or residual tumor mass is the German Hodgkin Study Group standard of care for advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). However, treatment-related toxicity is a concern, and the role of RT in this setting is unclear. The HD12 study thus aimed to reduce toxicity while maintaining efficacy.

Patients and Methods

In this prospectively randomized multicenter trial, eight cycles of BEACOPPescalated was compared with four cycles of BEACOPPescalated followed by four cycles of the baseline dose of BEACOPP (BEACOPPbaseline; 4 + 4), and RT with no RT in the case of initial bulk or residual disease. The study was designed to exclude a difference in 5-year freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) rate of 6%.

Results

Between January 1999 and January 2003, 1,670 patients age 16 to 65 years were enrolled onto the HD12 study. At 5 years, FFTF was 86.4% in the BEACOPPescalated arm and 84.8% in the 4 + 4 arm (difference, −1.6%; 95% CI, −5.2% to 1.9%), and overall survival was 92% versus 90.3% (difference, −1.7%; 95% CI, −4.6% to 1.1%). Deaths related to acute toxicity of chemotherapy were observed in 2.9% of patients (BEACOPPescalated, n = 19; 4 + 4, n = 27). FFTF was inferior without RT (90.4% v 87%; difference, −3.4%; 95% CI, −6.6% to −0.1%), particularly in patients who had residual disease after chemotherapy (difference, −5.8%; 95% CI, −10.7% to −1.0%), but not in patients with bulk in complete response after chemotherapy (difference, −1.1%; 95% CI, −6.2% to 4%).

Conclusion

The reduction of BEACOPP to the 4 + 4 regimen did not substantially reduce severe toxicity but might decrease efficacy. Our results do not support the omission of consolidation RT for patients with residual disease. Alternative strategies for improving the risk-to-benefit ratio for patients with advanced HL are needed.

Clinical features and outcomes of Hodgkin's lymphoma in Korea: Consortium for Improving Survival of Lymphoma (CISL)

Ethnic and regional differences in the epidemiology and pathological aspects of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) between Western and Asian patients may be associated with differences in clinical features and prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histopathological characteristics, therapeutic outcomes, and prognostic factors of 539 HL patients treated at 16 centers in Korea. We found that the incidence of histological subtypes of HL in Korea was similar to that in Western and other Asian countries. However, the incidence peaked between 16 and 30 years of age, unlike the bimodal age distribution seen in Western countries. In patients with stage I-IIA non-bulky disease, the complete response (CR) rate was similar between combined modality therapy and chemotherapy alone (93% vs. 84%, P = 0.44), and there was no difference in relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients with stage I-II disease plus unfavorable factors and those with advanced-stage disease treated with combination chemotherapy regimens had an overall CR rate of 77%, with no difference between doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) and non-ABVD regimens (77.2% vs. 76.8%, P = 0.95). Among those patients who achieved final CR, there was no significant difference in RFS or OS between those who achieved interim CR and PR. Only the presence of B symptoms was independently predictive of a shorter RFS. Age > 45 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 2-4, and B symptoms were independent risk factors for death. Although the incidence of HL was lower in Korea than in Western countries, the distribution of morphological subtypes, treatment outcomes, and patient prognosis were similar.

Hodgkin's lymphoma therapy: past, present, and future

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

The treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) with the use of radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy has been one of the success stories of modern oncology. HL therapy has been the paradigm for the systematic evaluation of different curative modalities, resulting in cure for the majority of patients. The current focus is on designing initial therapeutic strategies that retain efficacy and minimize long-term toxicity. Appropriate use of pathologic, clinical, biologic and radiologic prognostic factors in identification of aggressive HL is paramount in designing a successful therapeutic strategy.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

This review addresses the current and future use of prognostic tools, including PET scanning and other biomarkers, in identifying patients with aggressive HL, with reference to publications from the last two decades. The current standard approaches with the use of combined modality therapy and systemic chemotherapy as well as the promising role of future response-adapted strategies is reviewed.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

The reader will obtain a comprehensive review of risk assessment strategies as well as current and investigational therapeutic approaches in the management of HL.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

In HL, appropriate utilization of risk assessment strategies is required to maximize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing toxicity, especially long-term toxicity. Response-adapted therapy utilizing PET has the potential to profoundly improve the therapeutic landscape in HL.

Role of chemotherapy in Hodgkin's lymphoma

The development of curative chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is one of the true success stories in oncology. Most patients diagnosed with HL today can be cured. The major task remaining before us is curing as many patients as possible with their initial therapeutic approach while minimizing the acute toxicities and limiting the lifetime risks of important secondary events such as cardiovascular complications and secondary malignancies. In the 40 years since DeVita et al. developed the mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone chemotherapy regimen, we have learned a great deal about risk stratification to minimize treatment-related toxicity. Positron emission tomography may further assist us in reducing radiation treatment without compromising cures. This review will discuss the development of the chemotherapy regimens used in the management of early and advanced stage HL and the advantages and disadvantages of their use in combination with radiation therapy.

Escalated-dose BEACOPP in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: 10 years of follow-up of the GHSG HD9 study

PURPOSE

The HD9 trial of the German Hodgkin Study Group compared two different doses (baseline and escalated) of the bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPP) chemotherapy regimen in 1,196 patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). The previous analysis with 5 years median follow-up had indicated improved tumor control with BEACOPP escalated. Since the long-term safety and efficacy of this regimen has been debated, we report the 10-year follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients received one of three chemotherapy regimens: eight cycles of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP) alternating with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD); eight cycles of BEACOPP baseline; or eight cycles of BEACOPP escalated.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 111 months. At 10 years, freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) was 64%, 70%, and 82% with OS rates of 75%, 80%, and 86% for patients treated with COPP/ABVD (arm A), BEACOPP baseline (arm B), and BEACOPP escalated (arm C), respectively (P < .001). BEACOPP escalated was significantly better than BEACOPP baseline in terms of FFTF (P < .0001) and OS (P = .0053). A total of 74 second malignancies (6.2%) were documented, including acute myeloid leukemia (0.4%, 1.5%, and 3.0%), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (2.7%, 1.7%, and 1.0%), and solid tumors (2.7%, 3.4%, and 1.9%). The corresponding overall secondary malignancy rates were 5.7%, 6.6%, and 6.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The 10-year follow-up of the HD9 trial demonstrates a stabilized significant improvement in long-term FFTF and OS for BEACOPP escalated in advanced-stage HL. These results challenge ABVD as standard of care for this patient population.

Hodgkin lymphoma: Response assessment by Revised International Workshop Criteria

Until recently, response assessment in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) was primarily performed by computed tomography (CT). Based on CT, International Workshop Criteria (IWC) were developed and widely used. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has a higher sensitivity and specificity compared with that of CT, and Revised International Workshop Criteria (IWC + PET) were recently proposed, which combine both imaging techniques. We determined whether these integrated IWC + PET-criteria can more accurately predict outcome compared with IWC-criteria in 56 patients with HL. Of the original 56 patients, nine patients relapsed and 47 are still in remission after a median follow-up of 9 years. Based on IWC-criteria, 15 patients had a complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy, 20 had complete remission unconfirmed (CRu), 19 had partial remission (PR) and two had stable disease (SD). In comparison, by IWC + PET, 47 had CR, seven had PR and two had SD. For IWC, outcome was not significantly different in patients with CR/CRu compared to PR (P = 0.61), while for IWC + PET criteria, time-to-next-treatment was significantly shorter in patients with PR compared to CR (P = 0.01). Therefore, IWC + PET-guidelines provide a more accurate response classification compared with that of IWC-guidelines, and are the preferred method for response assessment in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Treatment of pediatric hodgkin lymphoma

OPINION STATEMENT

We are increasingly successful in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma. Current risk adapted trials seek to maintain the excellent efficacy of older therapies, while simultaneously limiting their late toxicities. Current management of early stage/favorable disease involves the use of two to four cycles of tailored chemotherapy, often followed by low-dose, involved field radiation. Those with intermediate and advanced stage disease require more intense chemotherapy and radiation regimens. Functional imaging using [(18)F]-2 fluoro-D-2-deoxyglucose is increasingly used to determine complete vs. partial response and to detect relapse. Given the success of primary therapy, retrieval of patients remains a highly individualized challenge. The majority of children failing combined-modality treatment undergo high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue, oftentimes with consolidative radiotherapy.

Twenty-year disease and treatment-associated mortality rates of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma of clinical stages IIIB and IV prospectively treated with 3-month anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by extended high-dose radiation

BACKGROUND

In 1981, the authors developed an original strategy combining 3 cycles of doxorubicin (adriamycin), bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) or ABVD-like chemotherapy and extended high-dose radiation for treating patients with clinical stages IIIB and IV Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). In the current study, the authors analyzed the 20-year results of this treatment as applied to 213 patients according to 2 successive trials.

METHODS

All patients who responded to chemotherapy received extended high-dose radiation. The rates of complete remission (CR), freedom from disease progression (FFP), HL-specific survival (HLSS), second tumors and cardiac events, freedom from treatment-associated mortality (FFTM), overall survival (OS), and event-free survival were calculated.

RESULTS

In December 2006, the median follow-up of the surviving patients exceeded 13 years; 102 patients (48%) achieved a CR after chemotherapy and 178 patients (84%) did so after radiotherapy. The rates of FFP (61%, quasi-stable after 6 years) and HLSS (81.6%, stable after 12 years) were found to be significantly higher in patients who achieved a CR after chemotherapy. The incidence of hematologic malignancies was 10.9% (with 10 of 12 events occurring within the first 7 years). The rates of solid tumors (32.4%), cardiac events (33.4%), and FFTM (65.6%) did not reach any plateau by 20 years and were found to be significantly associated with patient age. The 20-year OS rate was 48%.

CONCLUSIONS

This combined modality treatment gave long-term results similar to those obtained using 6 to 8 cycles of ABVD. Response to the initial brief chemotherapy administration was found to be predictive of the FFP and HLSS rates. The low rate of FFTM was the result of extended high-dose radiation. The results of the current study should help to design future trials for treating patients with advanced stages of HL.

New Strategies for the Treatment of Advanced-Stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma

In 2007, patients who have Hodgkin's lymphoma, even in advanced stages, have a better than 85% chance of being cured of their disease if adequate therapy is given at the outset. Most ongoing or planned international studies tailor therapy according to the needs of the individual patient, also accounting for anatomic stage, tumor burden, age, gender, and biologic host factors that affect prognosis. With this approach it might be possible to use less aggressive treatment regimens for the lower-risk groups and limit the use of the more aggressive dose- and time-intensified/dense regimens for the higher-risk groups. With this individualized approach it might be possible to yield higher cure rates and simultaneously reduce the risk for late complications and mortality.

Will BEACOPP be the standard for high risk Hodgkin lymphoma patients in advanced stages?

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) has become one of the most curable cancers, even in adulthood, through continuous improvement of therapeutic options and their verification by large multicenter trials. Today more than 95% of patients with HL in early stages and in advanced stages 85-90% can be cured. Nevertheless, these good results are threatened by treatment associated toxicities such as infertility, cardiopulmonary toxicity and secondary malignancies. It is therefore the aim of future trial generations both to maintain the excellent treatment results and to minimize late effects. In 1964 for the first time deVita et al. described the MOPP polychempotherapy for patients with advanced HL which led to cure rates in more than 50%. Around ten years later Bonadonna et al. established the non cross resistant alternative regime to MOPP, ABVD which nowadays is accepted as "gold standard" for the treatment of advanced HL. MOPP and/or ABVD and furthermore the alternating MOPP/ABVD or the MOPP/ABV hybrid with and without the help of consolidative radiation resulted in around 70% long term survival rates, 30-40% of patients experienced tumor progression or relapses within 5 years. This led the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) [Diehl V, Franklin J, Pfreundschuh M, Lathan B, Paulus U, Hasenclever D, et al. Standard and increased-dose BEACOPP chemotherapy compared with COPP-ABVD for advanced Hodgkin's disease. N Engl J Med 2003; 348: 2386-95] to improve the efficacy of COPP/ABVD by time- and dose-intensification, omission of Velban and Dacarbazin and adding Etoposide resulting in the BEACOPP principle. From the initial pilot studies in 1992 three trial generations, HD9, HD12, HD15, have now established this principle as one of the most effective chemotherapy regimen in advanced HL. We certainly hope that it will not last another 20 years to establish the BEACOPP regimen as an attractive curative treatment option for at least the high risk cohorts of HL.

Treatment of Hodgkin's disease: a twenty-year follow-up of patients at a center in Korea

Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a hematologic malignancy which shows common features regardless of race, but racial differences may be considered with certain clinical characteristics. HD in Korea shows somewhat different characteristics when compared to cases in Western countries. We evaluated the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of HD, the outcomes of various chemotherapy regimens, and prognostic factors of HD in Korea. One hundred and five patients with initial histopathologic diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease were retrospectively reviewed 20 years after diagnosis at Yonsei University College of Medicine. Nodular sclerosis was the most common histopathologic subtype (41%) and mixed cellularity was nearly as common (40%). The overall complete remission rate (CR) was 87.6%. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate were 79.2% and 84.8% at 5-years, 70% and 79.2% at 10- and 20-years. There were no significant differences in CR rate and DFS, but OS rates were significantly higher in m-BACOP and ABVD regimen. Univariate analysis revealed that age, B-symptom, ECOG scale, Ann Arbor stage, international prognostic index, and serum beta2-microglobulin level were significant prognostic factors for both DFS and OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, B symptoms, and ECOG scale were significant prognostic factors for OS only. In conclusion, the survival rates of HD patients in our center were superior to those of previous reports in Korea and Western countries. Considering the higher OS rate and decreased incidence of side effects, the ABVD regimen may be recommended for the initial treatment of Hodgkin's disease.

The cancer and leukemia group B lymphoma committee

The malignant lymphomas include at least 30 entities that are distinct with respect to histology, immunology, genetics, clinical features, and outcome following therapy. The clinical behavior of these diseases ranges from indolent but generally incurable to aggressive and frequently fatal yet potentially curable with appropriate chemotherapy or chemotherapy-antibody regimens. Over the past 50 years, the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Lymphoma Committee has conducted a series of clinical trials that have contributed to an improvement in outcome for patients with a number of the more common lymphoma subtypes. The World Health Organization has classified approximately 30 neoplastic diseases of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues (1). The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Lymphoma Committee highlight below clinical trials that have resulted in improved patient outcome for the more frequent lymphoma subtypes.

German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group Trials: Lessons from the Past and Current Strategies

Over the past decades, Hodgkin's lymphoma has become one of the most curable tumors in adults. This is mainly because of large clinical trials using risk-adapted, highly effective therapy modalities. For a long time, radiation therapy was the standard for treating patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Within the past 20 years, management has undergone a paradigm shift from the use of chemotherapy as an adjunct to radiation therapy in advanced-stage disease to combined therapy modalities with chemotherapy and involved-field irradiation in early stages and time- and dose-intensified effective drug regimens in advanced stages. Modern therapeutic strategies aim at reducing therapy-associated acute and late toxicities, while maintaining the highest tumor control. Founded in 1978, the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group has initiated numerous clinical trials contributing to the high cure rate in all stages of this lymphoma entity. This article gives an overview of the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group trials and a review of the current treatment strategies.

MOPPEBVCAD Chemotherapy with Limited and Conditioned Radiotherapy in Advanced Hodgkin's Lymphoma: 10-Year Results, Late Toxicity, and Second Tumors

PURPOSE

MOPPEBVCAD (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, epidoxirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, lomustine, doxorubicin, and vindesine) chemotherapy with limited radiotherapy was devised in 1987 to reduce late toxicity and second tumor incidence while trying to improve effectiveness through increases of dose intensity and dose density. Late results, toxicity, and second tumor incidence were reviewed in all the patients treated.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The drugs of three previous alternating regimens [CAD (lomustine, melphalan, and vindesine), MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone), and ABV (doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine)] were intensified and hybridized, the cumulative dose of mechlorethamine was lowered, and irradiation was delivered to no more than two sites either bulky or partially responding to chemotherapy.

RESULTS

A total of 307 previously untreated advanced-stage patients underwent MOPPEBVCAD chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered to 118 of 307 patients (38%). Remission was complete in 290 patients (94%). With a median follow-up of 114 months, 10-year overall, disease-free, and failure-free survival rates were 79%, 84%, and 71%, respectively. Forty-two patients relapsed and 60 died. The causes of death were Hodgkin's lymphoma in 36 patients, second neoplasms in 12, cardiorespiratory diseases in 4, pulmonary diseases in 2, and unknown in 6. Sixteen second tumors (of which nine were myelodysplasia and/or acute leukemia) were diagnosed in all. Outside this series of 307 patients, MOPPEBVCAD obtained complete responses in 12 of 15 relapsed and 9 of 9 refractory patients who had previously been treated with other regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical response and long-term results are very satisfactory, whereas the second tumor incidence was lower than would have been expected with MOPP analogues. Given its response/late toxicity balance, MOPPEBVCAD does not undermine the leading role of ABVD as first-line regimen but can be indicated as a very effective second-line conventional therapy.

ABVD Versus Modified Stanford V Versus MOPPEBVCAD With Optional and Limited Radiotherapy in Intermediate- and Advanced-Stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Final Results of a Multicenter Randomized Trial by the Intergruppo Italiano Linfomi

Purpose

In this multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial on advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), the efficacy and toxicity of two chemotherapy regimens, doxorubicin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, and prednisone (Stanford V) and mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, epidoxirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, lomustine, doxorubicin, and vindesine (MOPPEBVCAD), were compared with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) as standard therapy to select which regimen would best support a reduced radiotherapy program, which was limited to ≤ two sites of either previous bulky or partially remitting disease (a modification of the original Stanford program).

Patients and Methods

Three hundred fifty-five patients with stage IIB, III, or IV HL were randomly assigned. Three hundred thirty-four patients were assessable for the study and received six cycles of ABVD (n = 122), three cycles of Stanford V (n = 107), or six cycles of MOPPEBVCAD (n = 106); radiotherapy was administered to 76, 71, and 50 patients in these three arms, respectively.

Results

The complete response rates for ABVD, Stanford V, and MOPPEBVCAD were 89%, 76% and 94%, respectively; 5-year failure-free survival (FFS) and progression-free survival rates were 78%, 54%, 81% and 85%, 73%, and 94%, respectively (P < .01 for comparison of Stanford V with the other two regimens). Corresponding 5-year overall survival rates were 90%, 82%, and 89% for ABVD, Stanford V, and MOPPEBVCAD, respectively. Stanford V was more myelotoxic than ABVD but less myelotoxic than MOPPEBVCAD, which had larger reductions in the prescribed drug doses.

Conclusion

When associated with conditioned and limited (not adjuvant) radiotherapy, ABVD and MOPPEBVCAD were superior to Stanford V chemotherapy in terms of response rate and FFS and progression-free survival. Patients were irradiated less often after MOPPEBVCAD, but this regimen was more toxic. ABVD is still the best choice when it is combined with optional, limited irradiation.

A prospectively randomized trial carried out by the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) for elderly patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease comparing BEACOPP baseline and COPP-ABVD (study HD9elderly)

In contrast to younger patients, the prognosis of elderly patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD) has not improved substantially over the last 20 years. We thus carried out a prospectively randomized study (HD9(elderly)) to compare the BEACOPP regimen in this setting against standard COPP-ABVD. Between February 1993 and 1998, 75 patients aged 66-75 years with newly diagnosed HD in advanced stages were recruited into the HD9 trial as a separate stratum (HD9(elderly)). Patients were assigned to eight alternating cycles of COPP and ABVD or eight cycles of BEACOPP in baseline doses. Radiotherapy was given to initial bulky or residual disease. In total, 68 of 75 registered patients were assessable: 26 were treated with COPP-ABVD and 42 with BEACOPP baseline. There were no significant differences between COPP-ABVD and BEACOPP in terms of complete remission (76%), overall survival (50%) and freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) (46%) at 5 years. At a median follow-up of 80 months, a total of 37 patients died: 14/26 patients (54%) treated with COPP-ABVD and 23/42 patients (55%) with BEACOPP. Two patients (8%) treated with COPP-ABVD and nine patients (21%) treated with BEACOPP died of acute toxicity. Hodgkin-specific FFTF at 5 years was 55% after COPP-ABVD and 74% after BEACOPP (P=0.13). Thus, there are no differences in survival between these regimens in elderly patients.

Trials in Advanced Hodgkin's Disease: More than 30 Years Experience of the British National Lymphoma Investigation

Hodgkin's disease demonstrates an exquisite sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This necessitates investigation of modes of delivering these modalities in the best possible fashion to improve outcomes. The British National Lymphoma Investigation (BNLI) has conducted randomized trials in advanced Hodgkin's disease for > 30 years. The results of BNLI studies have demonstrated that MOPP (mechlorethamine/vincristine/procarbazine/prednisone) chemotherapy is superior to MOP (mechlorethamine/vincristine/procarbazine) chemotherapy; that there are no significant differences between MOPP and B-MOPP (MOPP plus bleomycin); that there is no significant benefit from maintenance therapy with lomustine/vinblastine/bleomycin; that LOPP (chlorambucil/vincristine/procarbazine/prednisone) is as effective as MOPP and has less acute toxicity; that alternating therapy with LOPP and EVAP (etoposide/vinblastine/doxorubicin/prednisolone) is superior to EVAP alone or hybrid LOPP and EVA (etoposide/vinblastine/doxorubicin); that alternating therapy with ChlVPP (a substitute for MOPP) and prednisolone/doxorubicin/bleomycin/vincristine/etoposide regimens is superior to the latter regimen alone; that the Stanford V regimen (doxorubicin/vinblastine/mechlorethamine/vincristine/bleomycin/etoposide/prednisone) combined with disciplined radiation therapy is safe and effective; that hybrid therapy with ChlVPP and EVA and alternating therapy with ChlVPP and prednisolone/doxorubicin/bleomycin/vincristine/etoposide are as effective as ABVD (doxorubicin/bleomycin/vinblastine/dacarbazine) alone; and that there is no additional benefit from total nodal irradiation or combined-modality therapy compared with MOPP; and that treatment with high-dose BEAM (carmustine/etoposide/cytarabine/melphalan) and autologous bone marrow transplantation is superior to mini-BEAM (lower-dose BEAM not requiring bone marrow rescue) for poor-risk relapsed and refractory disease.

Prognostic factors for disease progression after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for recurrent or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma

Our purpose was to study the risk factors associated with disease progression after high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with recurrent or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). We analyzed the long-term outcome of 184 patients with recurrent or refractory HL who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At the time of transplantation, 82 patients were in first relapse or second remission, 46 patients were refractory to the primary induction chemotherapy, and 56 patients were beyond first relapse or second remission. In 64 patients, the disease had proved refractory to the chemotherapy regimen administered immediately prior to transplantation. The median follow-up of patients who were alive and free of disease at the time of this report was 8.9 years (range, 0.1-19.0 years). At 10 years, the overall and disease-free survival rates were 34% (95% CI 27-42) and 29% (95% CI 22-36) respectively. The major cause of treatment failure was disease relapse. Chemotherapy resistance prior to transplantation, advanced stage, and higher number of chemotherapy regimens administered prior to transplantation were adverse prognostic factors for disease progression. We conclude that autologous transplantation is an effective salvage treatment for recurrent HL.

Part II: Hodgkin's lymphoma—diagnosis and treatment

The outcome of patients with all stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma has improved dramatically over the past few decades. This is mainly due to the use of risk-adapted therapies using intensive polychemotherapeutic regimens in combination with other modalities. Patients with early favourable or unfavourable (intermediate) stage disease receive two or four cycles of chemotherapy, respectively, followed by involved-field radiotherapy (20-30Gy). Advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma is treated more aggressively using six to eight cycles of chemotherapy but the effectiveness of consolidative radiotherapy for patients who show a complete response after chemotherapy alone is still unknown. The main challenge in the near future will be the development of strategies that decrease late morbidity and mortality but retain the same efficacy of current regimens. In this paper we review current diagnostic techniques and management strategies used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the range of new modalities being used to improve long-term outcome and patient quality of life.

Bulky disease is the most important prognostic factor in Hodgkin lymphoma stage IIB

The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment results for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients younger than 60 yr in stage IIB, treated according to the Swedish National Care Programme. The intention was also to identify specific subgroups depending on the number of negative prognostic factors the patients have, in order to optimise and differentiate future treatment. In total, 99 patients with HL stage IIB, diagnosed between 1985 and 1994, have been analysed. There were 47 men and 52 women and the median age was 33 yr (range 17-59). Eighty-six patients presented with supradiaphragmatic disease and 13 with infradiaphragmatic. The HL specific and overall 10-yr survival was 73 and 65%, respectively. The HL-specific survival for patients in pathological stage IIB tended to be better, although not statistically significant than for clinical stage IIB, despite less chemotherapy (P = 0.1). The patients in stage IIB who were selected for laparotomy were, however, younger and with fewer negative prognostic factors. The only significant negative prognostic factor was bulky disease (P = 0.001). The following factors also tended to have a negative influence on the prognosis although not statistically significant: the International Prognostic Score, the number of involved lymph node stations, extranodal involvement and leucocyte count > 15 x 10(9)/L. In conclusion, we suggest that bulky disease should be taken into account when treating patients with stage IIB HL.

Involved-field radiotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The use of involved-field radiotherapy after chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma is controversial.

METHODS

We randomly assigned patients with previously untreated stage III or IV Hodgkin's lymphoma who were in complete remission after hybrid chemotherapy with mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine (MOPP-ABV) to receive either no further treatment or involved-field radiotherapy. Radiotherapy consisted of 24 Gy to all initially involved nodal areas and 16 to 24 Gy to all initially involved extranodal sites. Patients in partial remission were treated with 30 Gy to nodal areas and 18 to 24 Gy to extranodal sites.

RESULTS

Of 739 patients, 421 had a complete remission; 161 of these patients were assigned to no further treatment, and 172 to involved-field radiotherapy. The median follow-up was 79 months. The five-year event-free survival rate was 84 percent in the group that did not receive radiotherapy and 79 percent in the group that received involved-field radiotherapy (P=0.35). The five-year overall survival rates were 91 and 85 percent, respectively (P=0.07). Among the 250 patients in partial remission after chemotherapy, the five-year event-free and overall survival rates were 79 and 87 percent, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Involved-field radiotherapy did not improve the outcome in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma who had a complete remission after MOPP-ABV chemotherapy. Radiotherapy may benefit patients with a partial response after chemotherapy.

14-day variant of the bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone regimen in advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: results of a pilot study of the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group

PURPOSE

This multicenter pilot study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of a time-intensified bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPP) regimen given in 14-day intervals (BEACOPP-14) with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support in advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From July 1997 until March 2000, 94 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma stage IIB, III, and IV were scheduled to receive eight cycles of BEACOPP-14. Consolidation radiotherapy was administered to regions with initial bulky disease or residual tumor after chemotherapy.

RESULTS

All patients were assessable for toxicity and treatment outcome. Eighty-six patients received the planned eight cycles of BEACOPP-14. Consolidation radiotherapy was given in 66 patients. Chemotherapy could generally be administered on schedule. Dose reductions varied among drugs but were generally low. Acute toxicity was moderate, with World Health Organization grade 3/4 leukopenia in 75%, thrombocytopenia in 23%, anemia in 65%, and infection in 12% of patients. A total of 88 patients (94%) achieved a complete remission. Four patients had progressive disease. At a median observation time of 34 months, five patients have relapsed, one patient developed a secondary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and three deaths were documented. The overall survival and freedom from treatment failure rates at 34 months were 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93% to 100%) and 90% (95% CI, 84% to 97%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Acceleration of the BEACOPP baseline regimen by shortening cycle duration with G-CSF support is feasible and effective with moderate acute toxicity. On the basis of these results, the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group will compare the BEACOPP-14 regimen with BEACOPP-21 escalated in a prospective multicenter randomized trial.

Randomized comparison of ABVD and MOPP/ABV hybrid for the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease: report of an intergroup trial

PURPOSE

In a series of trials, doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) and mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine (MOPP/ABV) have been identified as effective treatments for Hodgkin's disease. We compared these regimens as initial chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Adult patients (N = 856) with advanced Hodgkin's disease were randomly assigned to treatment with ABVD or MOPP/ABV. The major end points were failure-free and overall survival, life-threatening acute toxicities, and serious long-term toxicities, including cardiomyopathy, pulmonary toxicity, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and secondary malignancies.

RESULTS

The rates of complete remission (76% v 80%, P =.16), failure-free survival at 5 years (63% v 66%, P =.42), and overall survival at 5 years (82% v 81%, P =.82) were similar for ABVD and MOPP/ABV, respectively. Clinically significant acute pulmonary and hematologic toxicity were more common with MOPP/ABV (P =.060 and.001, respectively). There was no difference in cardiac toxicity. There were 24 deaths attributed to initial treatment: nine with ABVD and 15 with MOPP/ABV (P =.057). There have been 18 second malignancies associated with ABVD and 28 associated with MOPP/ABV (P =.13). Thirteen patients have developed MDS or acute leukemia: 11 were initially treated with MOPP/ABV, and two were initially treated with ABVD but subsequently received MOPP-containing regimens and radiotherapy before developing leukemia (P =.011).

CONCLUSION

ABVD and the MOPP/ABV hybrid are effective therapies for Hodgkin's disease. MOPP/ABV is associated with a greater incidence of acute toxicity, MDS, and leukemia. ABVD should be considered the standard regimen for treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease.

Primary systemic treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease with EVA (etoposide, vinblastine, doxorubicin): 10-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

The most commonly used regimen for the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD) is ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine). Two of these components, bleomycin and dacarbazine, have defined toxicities such as pulmonary fibrosis and nausea/vomiting, and also uncertain single-drug activity. The EVA regimen (etoposide, vinblastine, doxorubicin) is an attempt to substitute a known active agent, etoposide, for bleomycin and dacarbazine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A series of 51 patients with advanced HD without prior systemic therapy were treated. The series included 12 stage II patients with bulky (>10 cm) mediastinal tumors, 10 of whom received complementary radiation therapy. The remaining patients received EVA only. Response, duration of response, survival, toxicity and the efficacy of salvage therapy were evaluated in all patients. The median follow-up time was 111 months and permitted an assessment of the long-term effects of treatment and natural history of a cohort of treated patients.

RESULTS

EVA achieved a complete response (or clinical complete response) in 48/51 patients (94%). Of these 48 responders, 16 relapsed in a median of 11 months (range 3-48 months). In follow-up, 32/51 patients had no evidence of relapsed HD, although three died from other causes (two from vascular events and one from large cell lymphoma), resulting in progression-free survival for the entire group of 57% at 111 months. Eight of the 16 were alive and free from disease at follow-up at 111 months. In the entire series, only seven patients (14%) died of HD. 37 patients (73%) continued free from disease. There was no pulmonary toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The EVA regimen appears to have an overall survival (OS) outcome comparable to ABVD, but without the lung toxicity. The high salvage rate of second-line therapy, in most instances at conventional dosage, suggests an absence of cross-resistance to alkylating agents in patients treated with EVA.

Hodgkin's lymphoma: biology and treatment strategies for primary, refractory, and relapsed disease

Hodgkin's lymphomas belong to the most curable tumor diseases in adults. About 80% of patients in all anatomical stages and of all histological subtypes can be cured with modern treatment strategies. In spite of the great clinical progress, the pathogenesis of this peculiar lymphoproliferative entity has not been elucidated completely up until now. In Section I Drs. Stein, Hummel, and Zollinger describe the different pro-proliferative and antiapoptotic pathways and molecules involved in the transformation of the germinal center B-lymphocyte to the malignant Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cell. They use a comprehensive gene expression profiling (Affymetrix gene chip U133A) on B- and T-Hodgkin cell lines and state that the cell of origin is not the dominant determinant of the Hodgkin cell phenotype, but the transforming event. H-RS cells lack specific functional markers (B-T-cell receptors) and physiologically should undergo apoptosis. Why they do not is unclear and a matter of intensive ongoing research. In Section II Dr. Diehl summarizes the commonly used primary treatment strategies adapted to prognostic strata in early, intermediate and advanced anatomical stages using increasing intensities of chemotherapy (two, four, eight courses of chemotherapy such as ABVD) and additive radiation with decreased doses and field size. ABVD is without doubt the gold standard for early and intermediate stages, but its role as the standard regimen for advanced stages is challenged by recent data with time- and dose-intensified regimens such as the escalated BEACOPP, demonstrating superiority over COPP/ABVD (equivalent to ABVD) for FFTF and OS in all risk strata according to the International Prognostic Score. In Section III, Dr. Connors states that fortunately there is a considerably decreased need for salvage strategies in Hodgkin's lymphomas since primary treatment results in a more than 80% tumor control. Nevertheless, a significant number of patients experience either a tumor refractory to therapy or an early or late relapse. Therefore, one of the continuing challenges in the care for Hodgkin's lymphomas today is to find effective modes for a second tumor control. High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell support has proved to be the treatment of choice when disseminated tumors recur after primary chemo- and or radiotherapy. Nodal relapses respond well to local radiation when they recur outfield of primary radiation without B-symptoms and in stages I-II at relapse. Allogeneic stem cell support needs further intensive evaluation in controlled studies to become an established alternative.

ChlVPP chemotherapy in children with stage IV Hodgkin's disease: results of the UKCCSG HD 8201 and HD 9201 studies

We reviewed the results of two consecutive United Kingdom Childrens' Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) studies of children with stage IV Hodgkin's Disease (HD) treated between January 1982 and December 1999. Among 697 children with HD, 67 were diagnosed to be stage IV. The median age at diagnosis was 12.7 years (range 4.4-16.2). Thirty-five (52%) were boys. Thirty-nine patients (58%) had B symptoms at diagnosis. All were treated with 6-8 cycles of ChlVPP chemotherapy regimen (Chlorambucil, Vinblastine, Procarbazine and prednisolone) and only 12 had radiotherapy. The overall survival (OS) at 5 and 10 years was 80.8% and 77.2%, respectively, whilst the event-free survival (EFS) at the same time intervals was 55.2% and 48.8% respectively. Twenty-eight patients (41.79%) relapsed/progressed, 18 (64%) survived after further chemotherapy with or without high-dose therapy and stem cell rescue. Twelve patients died, seven of HD, three from infections and one from secondary acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML). Although the EFS in this study was lower than other studies, 64% of relapsed patients were salvaged with second-line therapy. It is also anticipated that survivors treated with this non-anthracycline-containing regimen will have less long-term toxicity.

Treatment of patients with advanced or bulky Hodgkin disease with a 12-week doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine-like chemotherapy regimen followed by extended-field, full-dose radiotherapy: long-term results of the Groupe Ouest et Est des Leucémies et Autres Maladies de Sang H90-A/B Multicenter Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

This Phase II study was performed in patients with advanced or bulky Hodgkin disease (HD) to evaluate the results of a 7-drug chemotherapy (CT) regimen that was administered over 12 weeks according to 2 randomized modalities followed by high-dose lymph node irradiation.

METHODS

From 1990 to 1996, 162 patients with HD at clinical stages (CS) I-III with bulky disease (mediastinal mass ratio >or= 0.45 and/or unilateral or bilateral pelvic plus lumboaortic disease; 86 patients) or CS IV (76 patients) were randomized to receive the same cumulated dose of a CT regimen consisting of epirubicin (240 mg/m(2)), bleomycin (60 mg/m(2)), vinblastine (20 mg/m(2)), vincristine (4 mg/m(2)), cyclophosphamide (4000 mg/m(2)), etoposide (900 mg/m(2)), and methotrexate (180 mg/m(2)) plus methylprednisolone (1500 mg/m(2)) over 12 weeks either every 4 weeks (Arm Y, 79 patients) or every 3 weeks (Arm Z, 83 patients). Patients with disease in complete remission (CR) or partial remission after CT received extended-field lymph node irradiation (involved areas, 40 grays [Gy]; noninvolved areas, 30 Gy).

RESULTS

Forty-two percent of patients achieved a post-CT CR, and 86% of patients achieved a CR after the completion of irradiation (there was no difference between Arm Y and Arm Z). Thirty-five patients developed recurrent disease; most of those patients were in post-CT partial remission. The 10-year freedom from first progression rate was 63.9% (there was no difference between Arm Y and Arm Z). Thirty-eight patients died: 24 patients from HD, 3 patients from CT-related early sepsis, 1 patient from radiation-induced pneumonitis, 6 patients from a second malignancy, and 4 patients from causes unrelated to treatment. The overall 10-year survival rate was 76.7%. Survival was slightly higher among patients in Arm Y (83.3%) compared with patients in Arm Z (70.2%; P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

No differences were found when the same amount of CT was delivered in three courses or in four courses. In 1997, because most recurrences of the H90-A/B trial occurred in patients who achieved a post-CT partial remission, the authors decided to reinforce the intensity of the initial CT and designed a new randomized study comparing two modalities of more intensive CT plus consolidative radiotherapy (H97-LM trial).

Hodgkin's lymphoma: basing the treatment on the evidence

This paper examines the evidence available to guide treatment decisions in three areas of Hodgkin's lymphoma management. In Section I Dr. Evert Noordijk describes evolving strategies for patients with early stage disease outlining the eras during which the focus has changed from initially accomplishing cure through refining and intensifying the treatment to one of maximizing cure rates and finally into a patient-oriented era in which the twin goals of maintaining high rates of cure and minimizing late toxicity are being achieved. In Section II Dr. Sandra Horning reviews the way in which the cooperative groups of North America and Europe have built upon initial observations from single centers to assemble the trials that have defined the treatment for advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma. Over a period of almost three decades, these well-constructed trials have defined a current standard of treatment, ABVD chemotherapy and are now investigating innovative approaches to move beyond this standard. She also indicates the need to appreciate diagnostic factors and the implications of prognostic factor models for the design and interpretation of clinical trials. In Section III Dr. Joseph Connors summarizes the evidence available to inform our choice of treatment for the uncommon but important entity of lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's lymphoma. Once again, the guidance that can be derived from carefully conducted clinical investigation is used to address the issues surrounding choice of treatment, reasonable monitoring in long term follow-up and the clear-cut need to base diagnosis on objective immunohistochemical evidence.

Fifteen-year secondary leukaemia risk observed in 761 patients with Hodgkin's disease prospectively treated by MOPP or ABVD chemotherapy plus high-dose irradiation

Between 1972 and 1988, 869 adult patients received MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone; 462 patients) or ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine; 373 patients) and subsequent high-dose irradiation for Hodgkin's disease. Nine patients developed a leukaemia after MOPP and four after ABVD; 11 patients were diagnosed as acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL) and two as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Both cases of ALL were observed after ABVD and were associated with a 11q23 translocation. The 15-year actuarial risk of secondary leukaemia was 2.4% for the whole group of patients, 3.4% after MOPP and 1.3% after ABVD. For the MOPP subgroup, the risk of leukaemia was significantly associated with the extent of irradiation: 2.4% for limited irradiation and 13.9% for extended irradiation (P < 0.001). For the ABVD subgroup, this risk remained low (1.3%) whatever the type of irradiation. Concerning ANLL, the MOPP regimen was significantly associated with a higher risk: 3.4% versus 0.7% for ABVD (P<or=0.05). The 15-year risk of ALL was 0.6 after ABVD regimen. This study demonstrated that ABVD induced less ANLL than MOPP. However, a low risk of ALL with a 11q23 translocation related to topoisomerase II inhibitors was observed.

Approach to Hodgkin's lymphoma in the new millennium

Approximately 75% of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma can be cured with modern chemotherapy and radiation. Most patients are treated according to clinical stage and the associated prognostic factors. For patients with limited stage Hodgkin's lymphoma, combined modality treatment has replaced subtotal nodal irradiation as the preferred treatment option. This approach eliminates laparotomy and potentially decreases the long-term toxicity secondary to extended field irradiation and splenectomy. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that it may improve disease control and possibly survival. Multiple novel regimens have been tested in the past 20 years in patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma including dose-intense regimens, but current evidence suggests that ABVD remains the treatment of choice outside clinical trials. Over the past decade, the treatment-related morbidity and mortality associated with autologous stem cell transplantation have reduced significantly and stem cell transplant is becoming the treatment of choice for most patients with primary refractory or recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma. With longer follow-up, long-term complications, in particular secondary malignancy have become the leading cause of late treatment failure for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. To improve the overall outcome of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, future studies need to focus on reducing the therapy-related toxicity for patients with good risk disease as well as improving disease control for patients with poor risk disease through a risk-adapted approach.

Treatment of paediatric Hodgkin's disease. a balance of risks

Hodgkin's disease is one of the commoner malignancies presenting in adolescence and young adulthood and is curable in the majority of cases. A number of therapeutic regimens have been used successfully, often at the expense of the development of side-effects in later life, including second malignancies, infertility and cardiac disease. We discuss the challenge faced by paediatric oncologists today in finding the balance between maximising cure and minimising the late effects.

Rapidly alternating COPP/ABV/IMEP is not superior to conventional alternating COPP/ABVD in combination with extended-field radiotherapy in intermediate-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: final results of the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group Trial HD5

PURPOSE

To investigate whether treatment results in intermediate-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma can be improved by rapid application of non-cross-resistant drugs, the 10-drug regimen cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP), doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine (ABV), and ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide, and prednisone (IMEP), repeated every 6 weeks, was compared with conventional alternating COPP/doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) administered every 8 weeks.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1988 to January 1993, 996 patients in stage I or II Hodgkin's lymphoma with at least one risk factor (massive mediastinal tumor, massive spleen involvement, extranodal disease, elevated ESR, or more than two lymph node areas involved) and all patients in stage IIIA Hodgkin's lymphoma were randomized to receive two cycles of COPP/ABVD or COPP/ABV/IMEP followed by extended-field radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Both regimens produced similar rates for treatment responses (complete remission, 93% v 94%), freedom from treatment failure (80% v 79%), and overall survival (88% for both regimens) at a median follow-up time of 7 years. Most serious toxicities during chemotherapy were similar in both regimens. However, World Health Organization grade 3 and 4 leukocytopenia occurred significantly more frequently in the COPP/ABV/IMEP arm (53% v 44% of patients; P =.010). There were no differences in the number of serious infections and toxic deaths during therapy. The number of second malignancies was also the same in both arms (22 each).

CONCLUSION

Alternating COPP/ABVD and rapid alternating COPP/ABV/IMEP in combination with extended-field radiotherapy are equally effective in intermediate-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma and produce excellent long-term treatment results.

MOPP/ABVD and Selected MOPP/ABV(D) Hybrid Regimens for Advanced Hodgkin's Disease

The increasing complexity of cancer chemotherapy makes it mandatory that pharmacists be familiar with these highly toxic agents. This column reviews various issues related to the preparation, dispensing, and administration of cancer chemotherapy, both commercially available and investigational.

Can positron emission tomography with [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose after first-line treatment distinguish Hodgkin's disease patients who need additional therapy from others in whom additional therapy would mean avoidable toxicity?

To assess the ability of restaging positron emission tomography (PET) scanning to predict clinical outcome after first-line treatment in patients with Hodgkin's disease, we included 60 patients with histologically proven HD, who underwent whole-body [(18)F]-fluorodeoxygenase ([(18)F]-FDG)-PET studies after first-line treatment and with a follow-up of at least 1 year. Persistence or absence of residual disease on PET was related to progression-free survival (PFS) using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. After treatment, 55 patients showed a normal [(18)F]-FDG-PET scan; 50 of 55 remained in complete remission (CR), with a median follow-up of 955 d. Only five patients relapsed (median PFS, 296 d). During follow-up in all five patients, [(18)F]-FDG-PET was the first tool that became positive for relapse. Persistent abnormal [(18)F]-FDG uptake was seen in only five patients; all of them relapsed (median PFS, 296 d). In four of five patients, only PET predicted persistent disease. All relapses were proven histologically. Two-year actuarial PFS rate for negative patients was 91% compared with 0% for positive patients. We concluded that [(18)F]-FDG-PET has an important prognostic role in the post-treatment evaluation of HD patients.