Martin Hutchings, MD, PhD, staff specialist, Department of Hematology, Finsen Centre, National Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, discusses a subgroup analysis of the ECHELON-1 study in Hodgkin lymphoma.

In March 2018, the FDA approved brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) for use in combination with chemotherapy as a frontline treatment for adult patients with stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma based on findings from the phase III ECHELON-1 study. Brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin (Adriamycin), vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) compared with standard doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD).

Findings from the subgroup analysis of this study showed that when given in the frontline setting, A+AVD elicits a more favorable median PFS for patients with high-risk disease, which was defined as stage IV disease, ≥1 extranodal disease sites, or having an International Prognostic Score of 4 to 7. Results suggest that high-risk patients may derive greater benefit with A+AVD as opposed to ABVD.

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Martin Hutchings, MD, PhD, staff specialist, Department of Hematology, Finsen Centre, National Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, discusses a subgroup analysis of the ECHELON-1 study in Hodgkin lymphoma.
 

Dr. Hutchings on Subgroup Analysis of ECHELON-1 in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Martin Hutchings, MD, PhD, staff specialist, Department of Hematology, Finsen Centre, National Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, discusses the aim of the ECHELON-1 study in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).

The randomized, phase III ECHELON-1 study is evaluating brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) plus chemotherapy in patients with high-risk advanced-stage cHL. Primary results showed a statistically significant improvement in modified progression-free survival in patients with stage III and stage IV cHL who received frontline brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (A+AVD).

In a prespecified subgroup analysis presented at the 2018 European Hematology Association Congress, frontline A+AVD is favorable to standard doxorubicin (Adriamycin), bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) in high-risk patients. With ABVD, roughly 25% to 30% of patients fail treatment, says Hutchings, so there is room for improvement. Additionally, bleomycin is a very toxic therapy, and this approach would spare patients of those adverse events.

Martin Hutchings, MD, PhD, staff specialist, Department of Hematology, Finsen Centre, National Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, discusses the aim of the ECHELON-1 study in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Martin Hutchings, MD, PhD

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Dr. Hutchings on Subgroup Analysis of ECHELON-1 in Hodgkin Lymphoma

Dr. Hutchings on the Aim of the ECHELON-1 Study in Hodgkin Lymphoma