Making Education Easy 11 th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma Conference

160: Durable complete remissions in a pivotal phase 2 study of SGN-35 (brentuximab vedotin) in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) Authors: Younes A et al Summary: Outpatients with relapsed or refractory HL (n=102) received ≤16 cycles of 30-minute IV infusions of brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35; selectively induces CD30+ apoptosis) 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks initiated after autologous stem-cell transplantation. The objective response rate (primary endpoint; assessed by independent review facility [Cheson 2007]) and complete response rate were 75% and 34%, respectively; the median duration of response among participants with complete responses had not been reached at the time of reporting. Treatment-related adverse events reported in ≥15% of participants were diarrhoea, fatigue, nausea, neutropenia and peripheral sensory neuropathy, and grade ≥3 adverse events reported in ≥5% of participants were anaemia, neutropenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy and thrombocytopenia. Comment: This was one of the most impressive posters at the conference. Finally, an immunotherapy for HL that shows promise, even when launched in such an advanced group of patients. Most of this young patient cohort were in the poor-risk, early relapse postautologous transplant category. Almost all had either a partial or complete response to this anti-CD30 antibody linked to an auristatin (monomethyl auristatin E). This was a welcome finding in view of the unimpressive response in trials of the naked anti-CD30 antibody. The 49% incidence of neuropathy may be more of an issue when combined with other chemotherapeutic agents; however, it was reversible in 80%. The next round of trials will study the prophylactic use in high-risk patients postautologous transplant and also an upfront treatment with ABVD. Reference: Ann Oncol 2011;22(suppl 4):iv138 http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/suppl_4/iv138.full.pdf+html Abstract 166: Gonadal function in women after treatment of early unfavourable Hodgkin lymphoma (HL): first results of the fertility research project within the 5th trial generation, German Hodgkin study group (GHSG)166: Gonadal function in women after treatment of early unfavourable Hodgkin lymphoma (HL): first results of the fertility research project within the 5th trial generation, German Hodgkin study group (GHSG) Authors: Behringer K et al Summary: Young women with HL and without progression or relapse ≥1 year after treatment received four cycles of ABVD (evaluable n=131) or two cycles of BEACOPPesc plus two cycles of ABVD (122) followed by involved field irradiation. Participants from the ABVD only arm had significantly more favourable follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels than those from the BEACOPPesc plus ABVD arm, but there were no between-group differences for regular menstrual cycle rates (88% and 84%), times to recovery of regular menstruation (maximum 1 year), pregnancy rates, birth rates (11% and 18%) or menopausal symptoms. Menopausal symptoms among the study participants were greater than reference values, while motherhood rates were similar to normal German population rates. Comment: Many have adopted the HD14 treatment plan of 2 × escalated BEACOPP and 2 × ABVD with involved field radiotherapy for early stage HL with unfavourable characteristics. As full treatment courses with BEACOPPesc have an adverse impact on fertility, it is often difficult to convince young women to have this treatment over 4 × ABVD. This poster alleviates these concerns in view of the similar rates of motherhood, not only compared with the ABVD arm, but to the age-matched German population. This is useful information to bring to the discussion table with your patients. Reference: Ann Oncol 2011;22(suppl 4):iv140 http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/suppl_4/iv138.full.pdf+html Making Education Easy 11 International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma Conference Review 11th ICML; 15–18 June 2011, Lugano, Switzerland