High-dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplantation, in Patients PET-2 Positive, After 2 Courses of ABVD and Comparison of RT Versus no RT in PET-2 Negative Patients

This study is composed by two phases:

1. A phase II multi-centre study evaluating in patients with advanced stage Hodgkin lymphoma the efficacy of an early salvage treatment with high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation in patients FDG-PET positive after two courses of ABVD (PET-2 positive).
2. A phase III randomised study comparing the efficacy of radiotherapy to the areas of initial bulky disease versus no further therapy in PET-2 negative patients in complete remission (PET-6 negative) at the end of six courses of ABVD.

• ABVD (Drug): ABVD courses are scheduled every 28 days: Doxorubicin 25 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Bleomycin 10 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Vinblastine 6 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Dacarbazine 375 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 ABVD courses are scheduled every 28 days: Doxorubicin 25 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Bleomycin 10 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Vinblastine 6 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Dacarbazine 375 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Randomization to Arm A (Observation)
• ABVD and Radiotherapy (Drug): ABVD courses are scheduled every 28 days: Doxorubicin 25 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Bleomycin 10 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Vinblastine 6 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Dacarbazine 375 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 and 15 Randomization to Arm B, Radiotherapy, in patients in CR, on the area of initial bulky disease (see above for the definition of nodal and/or mediastinal bulk).

Primary outcomes

• To evaluate if patients resistant to the initial treatment for residual PET-positive masses after the first two courses of ABVD (PET-2 positive), can be salvaged by early shift to high-dose chemotherapy supported by stem cell rescue. [4 years]

Secondary outcomes

• To analyse if patients achieving early complete response (PET-2 negative), can be spared the adjuvant radiotherapy on areas of initial bulky disease, at the end of the planned six courses of ABVD. [4 years]

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 70 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed Hodgkin's lymphoma of the classical type (nodular lymphocyte predominance excluded).
* Stage IIB-IV.
* Age 18-70.
* No prior therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma
* Written informed consent.
* ECOG performance status grades 0-3 (see Appendix E).
* FDG-PET scan before the initiation of treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
* Age less than 18 or more than 70.
* Other concomitant or prior malignancies, except basal cell skin carcinoma, or adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any cancer in complete remission for more than 5 years.
* HIV infection.
* Pregnancy or breast-feeding.
* Renal failure (creatinine ≥2 times the normal value), liver failure (AST/ALT or bilirubine ≥ 2.5 times the normal value) or heart failure (NYHA class ≥ 2 or FEV < 45%).

• Results publication: Kreuzberger N, Goldkuhle M, von Tresckow B, Kobe C, Sickinger MT, Monsef I, Skoetz N. Positron emission tomography-adapted therapy for first-line treatment in adults with Hodgkin lymphoma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025 Mar 26;3(3):CD010533. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010533.pub3. PMID 40135712
• Results publication: Ricardi U, Levis M, Evangelista A, Gioia DM, Sacchetti GM, Gotti M, Re A, Buglione M, Pavone V, Nardella A, Nassi L, Zanni M, Franzone P, Frezza GP, Pulsoni A, Grapulin L, Santoro A, Rigacci L, Simontacchi G, Tani M, Zaja F, Abruzzese E, Botto B, Zilioli VR, Rota-Scalabrini D, Freilone R, Ciccone G, Filippi AR, Zinzani PL. Role of radiotherapy to bulky sites of advanced Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD: final results of FIL HD0801 trial. Blood Adv. 2021 Nov 9;5(21):4504-4514. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005150. PMID 34597375
• Results publication: Zinzani PL, Broccoli A, Gioia DM, Castagnoli A, Ciccone G, Evangelista A, Santoro A, Ricardi U, Bonfichi M, Brusamolino E, Rossi G, Anastasia A, Zaja F, Vitolo U, Pavone V, Pulsoni A, Rigacci L, Gaidano G, Stelitano C, Salvi F, Rusconi C, Tani M, Freilone R, Pregno P, Borsatti E, Sacchetti GM, Argnani L, Levis A. Interim Positron Emission Tomography Response-Adapted Therapy in Advanced-Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma: Final Results of the Phase II Part of the HD0801 Study. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Apr 20;34(12):1376-85. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.63.0699. Epub 2016 Feb 16. PMID 26884559

• Alessandro Levis, MD, Study director, Ospedale SS. Antonio, Biagio e Cesare Arrigo