Treatment of relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: Real-world data from the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of the CD30-targeted antibody–drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL). In this study, we report on outcomes with BV in a real-world setting using data collected in clinics in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Patients and Methods: Clinical and epidemiological data for patients with R/R HL who received treatment with BV at eight centers across the Czech Republic and Slovakia were examined. Data were amalgamated and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Clinical data for 58 patients (median age: 30.5 years) with R/R HL who received BV during the course of their treatment were collected and analyzed. Patients had received a median of 3 prior treatment regimens and most (91%) were treated with BV after relapse following autologous stem cell transplantation. Therapeutic responses after BV included 19 (33%) complete responses (CRs) and 8 (14%) partial responses. CRs occurred more frequently in patients who had received fewer prior treatment regimens. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates from initiation of BV were 78%, 62%, and 41%, respectively. Conclusion: Response rates and OS in this analysis of BV in real-world settings in the Czech Republic and Slovakia were consistent with those reported for pivotal clinical trials and from previous studies outside the clinical trial setting. The results support the efficacy of BV for treatment of R/R HL in real-life clinical practice.