Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment with ADCETRIS: Complete Patient Guide
Comprehensive guide to treating Hodgkin lymphoma with ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) - when it's used, effectiveness, and what to expect.
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ADCETRIS has transformed treatment outcomes for Hodgkin lymphoma patients, particularly those with relapsed or refractory disease. This antibody-drug conjugate targets CD30-positive lymphoma cells with remarkable precision.
**When ADCETRIS Is Used in Hodgkin Lymphoma**
FDA-Approved Indications:
- Post-transplant consolidation for high-risk patients
- After failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)
- After 2+ failed multi-agent chemotherapy regimens (non-ASCT candidates)
- Frontline combination with chemotherapy for stage III/IV
Clinical Scenarios:
Post-Transplant Consolidation:
- After ASCT for relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma
- Reduces relapse risk by 57%
- Significantly improves progression-free survival
- Standard of care for high-risk patients
Relapsed/Refractory Disease:
- After initial chemotherapy failure
- Alternative to or after ASCT
- Bridge to allogeneic transplant
- Can achieve complete remissions
Frontline Combination (A+AVD):
- ADCETRIS + doxorubicin + vinblastine + dacarbazine
- For newly diagnosed stage III/IV disease
- Replaces standard ABVD regimen
- Improves outcomes but more side effects
**Treatment Protocol**
Dosing:
- 1.8 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks
- Maximum dose: 180 mg
- Infusion over 30 minutes
- Pre-medications usually not required
Duration:
- Post-transplant: 16 cycles (approximately 1 year)
- Relapsed/refractory: Until progression or unacceptable toxicity
- Maximum improvement often after 4-6 cycles
**Effectiveness and Outcomes**
Post-Transplant Consolidation:
- 2-year PFS: 63% vs. 51% placebo
- Reduces relapse risk substantially
- Well tolerated in this setting
- Most patients complete planned therapy
Relapsed/Refractory Setting:
- Overall response rate: 75%
- Complete response: 33%
- Median duration of response: 20.5 months
- Some achieve long-term remission
Frontline A+AVD:
- 2-year PFS: 82% vs. 77% with ABVD
- Fewer lung toxicity compared to bleomycin (ABVD)
- Higher rates of peripheral neuropathy
**Side Effects and Management**
Peripheral Neuropathy (Most Common):
- Occurs in 50-55% of patients
- Usually sensory: tingling, numbness
- Starts in fingers/toes
- May require dose reduction or discontinuation
- Often improves after stopping treatment
Management:
- Report symptoms immediately
- Dose reduction if Grade 2-3
- Hold therapy if Grade 3-4
- Gabapentin or duloxetine for symptoms
- Physical therapy helpful
Infusion Reactions:
- Rare (<5%)
- Fever, chills, rash during infusion
- Slow infusion if reactions occur
- Pre-medications for subsequent infusions
Neutropenia (Low White Blood Cells):
- Common, especially with A+AVD
- G-CSF support often needed
- Monitor blood counts weekly initially
Fatigue:
- Affects 30-40%
- Usually mild to moderate
- Energy conservation techniques
- Improves after treatment completion
**Monitoring During Treatment**
Before Each Treatment:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Peripheral neuropathy assessment
- General symptom review
Imaging:
- PET/CT scans every 12 weeks
- Assess response to treatment
- Plan treatment duration
**Combining with Other Treatments**
ADCETRIS + Checkpoint Inhibitors:
- Studied in clinical trials
- Very high response rates (75-80%)
- May be synergistic
- ADCETRIS + OPDIVO shows promise
Sequential Therapy:
- Can use checkpoint inhibitors after ADCETRIS
- ADCETRIS after checkpoint inhibitor failure
- Effective in both sequences
Bridge to Transplant:
- ADCETRIS controls disease before allogeneic transplant
- Good bridging therapy
- Can achieve transplant eligibility
**Questions for Your Doctor**
- Am I eligible for ADCETRIS?
- When in my treatment journey is it best used?
- How long will I need treatment?
- What are my chances of remission?
- What if neuropathy develops?
- Can I combine it with immunotherapy?
**Patient Success Story**
"My Hodgkin lymphoma relapsed 9 months after completing ABVD chemotherapy. I underwent stem cell transplant followed by 16 cycles of ADCETRIS consolidation. I developed mild neuropathy in my feet but completed all planned treatment. I've been in complete remission for 3 years now. ADCETRIS consolidation made the difference in preventing another relapse."
Our team can help you access ADCETRIS and connect you with lymphoma specialists.
**When ADCETRIS Is Used in Hodgkin Lymphoma**
FDA-Approved Indications:
- Post-transplant consolidation for high-risk patients
- After failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)
- After 2+ failed multi-agent chemotherapy regimens (non-ASCT candidates)
- Frontline combination with chemotherapy for stage III/IV
Clinical Scenarios:
Post-Transplant Consolidation:
- After ASCT for relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma
- Reduces relapse risk by 57%
- Significantly improves progression-free survival
- Standard of care for high-risk patients
Relapsed/Refractory Disease:
- After initial chemotherapy failure
- Alternative to or after ASCT
- Bridge to allogeneic transplant
- Can achieve complete remissions
Frontline Combination (A+AVD):
- ADCETRIS + doxorubicin + vinblastine + dacarbazine
- For newly diagnosed stage III/IV disease
- Replaces standard ABVD regimen
- Improves outcomes but more side effects
**Treatment Protocol**
Dosing:
- 1.8 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks
- Maximum dose: 180 mg
- Infusion over 30 minutes
- Pre-medications usually not required
Duration:
- Post-transplant: 16 cycles (approximately 1 year)
- Relapsed/refractory: Until progression or unacceptable toxicity
- Maximum improvement often after 4-6 cycles
**Effectiveness and Outcomes**
Post-Transplant Consolidation:
- 2-year PFS: 63% vs. 51% placebo
- Reduces relapse risk substantially
- Well tolerated in this setting
- Most patients complete planned therapy
Relapsed/Refractory Setting:
- Overall response rate: 75%
- Complete response: 33%
- Median duration of response: 20.5 months
- Some achieve long-term remission
Frontline A+AVD:
- 2-year PFS: 82% vs. 77% with ABVD
- Fewer lung toxicity compared to bleomycin (ABVD)
- Higher rates of peripheral neuropathy
**Side Effects and Management**
Peripheral Neuropathy (Most Common):
- Occurs in 50-55% of patients
- Usually sensory: tingling, numbness
- Starts in fingers/toes
- May require dose reduction or discontinuation
- Often improves after stopping treatment
Management:
- Report symptoms immediately
- Dose reduction if Grade 2-3
- Hold therapy if Grade 3-4
- Gabapentin or duloxetine for symptoms
- Physical therapy helpful
Infusion Reactions:
- Rare (<5%)
- Fever, chills, rash during infusion
- Slow infusion if reactions occur
- Pre-medications for subsequent infusions
Neutropenia (Low White Blood Cells):
- Common, especially with A+AVD
- G-CSF support often needed
- Monitor blood counts weekly initially
Fatigue:
- Affects 30-40%
- Usually mild to moderate
- Energy conservation techniques
- Improves after treatment completion
**Monitoring During Treatment**
Before Each Treatment:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Peripheral neuropathy assessment
- General symptom review
Imaging:
- PET/CT scans every 12 weeks
- Assess response to treatment
- Plan treatment duration
**Combining with Other Treatments**
ADCETRIS + Checkpoint Inhibitors:
- Studied in clinical trials
- Very high response rates (75-80%)
- May be synergistic
- ADCETRIS + OPDIVO shows promise
Sequential Therapy:
- Can use checkpoint inhibitors after ADCETRIS
- ADCETRIS after checkpoint inhibitor failure
- Effective in both sequences
Bridge to Transplant:
- ADCETRIS controls disease before allogeneic transplant
- Good bridging therapy
- Can achieve transplant eligibility
**Questions for Your Doctor**
- Am I eligible for ADCETRIS?
- When in my treatment journey is it best used?
- How long will I need treatment?
- What are my chances of remission?
- What if neuropathy develops?
- Can I combine it with immunotherapy?
**Patient Success Story**
"My Hodgkin lymphoma relapsed 9 months after completing ABVD chemotherapy. I underwent stem cell transplant followed by 16 cycles of ADCETRIS consolidation. I developed mild neuropathy in my feet but completed all planned treatment. I've been in complete remission for 3 years now. ADCETRIS consolidation made the difference in preventing another relapse."
Our team can help you access ADCETRIS and connect you with lymphoma specialists.
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Comprehensive guide to treating Hodgkin lymphoma with ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) - when it's used, effectiveness, and what to expect.
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Content reflects the latest update on 26. Januar 2026 and is reviewed regularly by our team.
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