Risk-adapted strategies for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma

Introduction: Over the past several decades, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has become a highly treatable lymphoid malignancy with excellent response rates and long-term disease-free survival. Late-toxicities, however, continue to be an area of significant concern. Recent studies have evaluated novel approaches to limit long-term toxicity without adversely impacting short-term survival. While early or interim PET scan has been correlated with PFS and OS in HL, the modification of therapy based on interim PET (response-adapted therapy) has been evaluated in retrospective and prospective cohorts. This paper will review evidence for the role of response-adapted therapy in HL.

Areas covered: Data from completed and ongoing retrospective and prospective cohorts of HL patients were reviewed utilizing pubmed and clinicaltrials.org and pertinent studies culled to compile this review article.

Expert opinion: While response-adapted therapy represents a promising area of research which may ultimately become standard-of-care, current data does not unequivocally endorse this approach, which should be used with caution outside of a clinical trial.