Dr. Goy on the Challenges of Treating Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Andre Goy, MD, MS, chairman, director, and chief of the Lymphoma Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses the challenges of treating patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Andre Goy, MD, MS, chairman, director, and chief of the Lymphoma Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses the challenges of treating patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Goy says it is challenging to identify the subset of patients that will do poorly on standard therapies. On average, about 5% to 15% of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma will do poorly regardless of the therapy utilized. As a result, it is important to identify these patients early on so that treatment can be adjusted.

Monoclonal antibodies in combination with brentuximab vedotin are being tested in patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These trials have shown impressive response rates, including complete responses, in the frontline setting. These combinations have the potential to change the treatment paradigm for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Goy says.