Thanos Zomas, MD, from Takeda Oncology, discusses follow-up data from the ECHELON-1 study presented at EHA 2021 and ASCO 2021.
The ECHELON-1 study was an open-label, randomized, phase 3 study comparing brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris; A) in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy (A+AVD) vs. standard of care (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine; ABVD) in adults with previously untreated stage III/IV classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare monoclonal lymphoid neoplasm that is usually treated with autologous stem cell transplant or high-dose chemotherapy. In stage III Hodgkin lymphoma, the lymphoma is found in lymph node areas on both sides of the diaphragm or above the diaphragm and in the spleen. In stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma, it has spread into at least one organ outside of the lymph system.
The primary outcome measure of the ECHELON-1 study was comparing modified progression-free survival (mPFS) obtained with A+AVD versus that obtained with ABVD. The results found a statistically significant benefit for those patients receiving A+AVD.
As Dr. Zomas explains, 5-year follow up data was presented at EHA and ASCO this year. Overall, benefits of treatment with A+AVD were found to have remained robust and durable in stage III and IV classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Treatment with A+AVD was shown to reduce risk of progression by 30% at 5-years. Additionally, A+AVD was shown to have a manageable toxicity profile and was not shown to cause fertility issues among patients receiving this treatment.
For more information about Hodgkin lymphoma and other rare cancers, visit checkrare.com/diseases/cancers/