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Nivolumab-AVD outperforms BV-AVD in efficacy and safety, offering a promising frontline option for OAs with advanced classic Hodgkin lymphoma.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study published in June 2025 issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology to compare survival outcomes between older and younger individuals diagnosed with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).  

They performed a subset analysis of individuals aged 60 years and older from the phase 3 S1826 trial led by SWOG. Participants with newly diagnosed stage III or IV cHL were randomly assigned to receive 6 cycles of either nivolumab (N)-AVD or brentuximab vedotin combined with AVD (BV-AVD).  

The results showed that out of 103 individuals aged 60 years and older, 99 were eligible for analysis. At a median follow-up of 2.1 years, the 2-year progression-free survival was 89% in the N-AVD, n = 50 and 64% in the BV-AVD, n = 49; [HR, 0.24] [95% CI, 0.09–0.63]; 1-sided stratified log-rank P = .001). The 2-year overall survival was 96% with N-AVD versus 85% with BV-AVD (HR, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.03–0.75]; stratified 1-sided log-rank P = .005). Full 6-cycle treatment without dose reduction was completed in 69% on N-AVD and 26% on BV-AVD. Discontinuation occurred in 55% receiving BV and 14% receiving N. Non relapse mortality was 16% for BV-AVD and 6% for N-AVD. Although neutropenia was more common with N-AVD, febrile neutropenia, infections, sepsis, and peripheral neuropathy occurred more frequently with BV-AVD. Patient-reported outcomes supported the favorable safety profile of N-AVD over BV-AVD.  

Investigators concluded that N-AVD was more effective and better tolerated than BV-AVD, establishing it as a new standard of care for older adults (OAs) with advanced-stage cHL who were fit for anthracycline-based combination therapy. 

Source: ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO-25-00204