Dr. Hamdan on Trial of Brentuximab Vedotin/Chemo in HIV-Associated Hodgkin Lymphoma

Ayad Hamdan, MD, hematologist and associate professor of medicine at Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego, discusses a pilot phase I/II trial with brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) plus chemotherapy in patients with HIV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma.

A phase II trial led by the AIDS Malignancy Consortium evaluated brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in patients with newly diagnosed classical Hodgkin lymphoma in the setting of HIV, says Hamdan. The study showed favorable progression-free survival and overall survival with the regimen; however, there was more concern about neuropathy with brentuximab vedotin given in combination with antiretroviral medications, says Hamdan.

Despite the concern for increased neuropathy, patients with well-controlled HIV should be included in all clinical trials. HIV status should not be an exclusion criterion, concludes Hamdan.