Multicenter phase 2 trial of first-line prednisone, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and bendamustine for Hodgkin lymphoma in elderly patients

A multicenter phase 2 trial in France and Belgium evaluated the PVAB regimen (prednisone, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and bendamustine) for previously untreated Hodgkin lymphoma in patients aged 61 years or older. The primary endpoint was complete metabolic response (CMR) rate after six PVAB cycles. Eighty-eight percent of patients completed six cycles. CMR rate after six cycles was 77.5% (95% CI 67-86). Treatment-related serious adverse events were seen in 20% of patients. After a median follow-up of 42 months, 35% of patients had relapsed and 27% had died, from HL (41%) or other causes ( (48%). The 4-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 50% and 69%, respectively.The authors conclude that among elderly patients with previously untreated HL, the PVAB regimen yielded a high CMR rate with acceptable toxicity.