Nivolumab-AVD versus brentuximab-vedotin-AVD for advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma in older patients: subgroup analysis of S1826

The S1826 trial randomized patients with stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma to six cycles of nivolumab plus AVD (N-AVD) or brentuximab vedotin plus AVD (BV-AVD) and found better progression-free survival in the N-AVD group. Subgroup analysis among patients aged 60 years and older has now been published. Two-year PFS rate was 89% after N-AVD versus 64% after BV-AVD(HR 0.24; 95% CI 0.09-0.63) and two-year OS rate was 96% versus 85% (0.16; 0.03-0.75). Nonrelapse mortality was 6% with N-AVD and 16% with BV-AVD. Neutropenia, febrile neurtopenis, sepsis, infections, and peripheral neuropathy were more frequent with BV-AVD than with N-AVD. The authors conclude that N-AVD is a new standard of care for older patients with advanced-stage cHL fit for anthracycline-based combination therapy.