Outcomes of Brentuximab Vedotin Monotherapy in Refractory/Relapsed Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study on Survival and Safety

Abstract

Background Refractory/relapsed classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (R/RcHL) poses significant treatment challenges, with limited success rates in achieving long-term remission. Brentuximab Vedotin (BV), an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate, has emerged as a promising therapeutic option. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BV monotherapy in R/RcHL patients, particularly regarding survival outcomes and adverse events. Methods This multi-center retrospective study included 82 R/RcHL patients aged 18 and over, treated with BV monotherapy across 14 institutions in Turkey from June 2012 to June 2020. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment response, adverse events, and overall survival (OS) rates were collected and analyzed. Primary outcomes were overall treatment response rate and OS, while the secondary outcome focused on the adverse event profile of BV treatment. Results Among the patients (56.1% female, median age 33.5 years), the overall treatment response rate was 76.8%. The median OS was 13.6 months, with patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) post-BV treatment exhibiting significantly longer survival (19.6 months) compared to those who did not receive HSCT (7.8 months, p < 0.001). Grade 3 to 5 adverse events were observed in 32.9% of patients, with neutropenia being the most common. Conclusion BV monotherapy demonstrates substantial efficacy in treating R/RcHL, offering a favorable balance between treatment response and manageable adverse events. Particularly effective as a bridging therapy to HSCT, BV significantly extends survival in R/RcHL patients. These findings underscore the need for prospective studies to further delineate patient subsets most likely to benefit from BV monotherapy.