ASH 2019 Interview - Dr Jessica Hochberg - Chemotherapy, Young Adults & Hodgkin Lymphoma

Dr Jessica Hochberg, Director of Paediatrics from New York Medical College, NY USA spoke with Donna Gairns, National Nurse Manager, Lymphoma Australia during ASH 2019 held in Orlando, Florida USA, following her oral presentation (Abstract attached).

Title: Reducing the Burden of Chemoradiotherapy with the Combination of Brentuximab Vedotin and Rituximab with Reduced Toxicity Chemotherapy in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Newly Diagnosed Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background: Cure rates for newly diagnosed Hodgkin Lymphoma is high with combined use of chemoradiotherapy. However, this often results in significant adverse physical and psychosocial function that can significantly impact the quality of life among survivors. The addition of Brentuximab vedotin and Rituximab to combination risk adapted chemotherapy (without cyclophosphamide, etoposide or bleomycin) for newly diagnosed Hodgkin Lymphoma appears to be safe in children, adolescents and young adults. Our results show significant promise with a CR rate of 100%, 58% rapid early response and significant reduction in the use of toxic chemotherapy and radiation. The EFS/OS to date is 100% with a median follow up time of greater than 3.5 years.