One-Day Brentuximab–Bendamustine (120 mg/m2) Every 21 Days is a Feasible, Safe and Effective Treatment for Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma

Brentuximab vedotin (BV)-bendamustine (90 or 120 mg/m2 day 1 and 2) every 28 days is an effective treatment for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL) but associated to high toxicity especially for elderly patients. We conducted in St Louis Hospital, Paris, between 2015 and 2021 a retrospective single-center analysis of 44 patients with R/R HL treated with one-day BV-bendamustine (120 mg/m2) every 21 days. Sixteen percent of patients were ≥ 60 years old (yo). Seventy-three percent of patients received total number of cycles without interruption nor adaptation. No patient ≥ 70 yo required treatment interruption. Dose adjustment was necessary for 18% of patients. Infusion-related reaction (36%) occurred always at cycle 2 and was the only cause of treatment interruption. One febrile neutropenia, one non-documented septic shock, one pyelonephritis on transplanted kidney and one COVID complicated by cytopenias were reported. Sixteen percent patients presented a peripheral sensory neuropathy, 7% and 4% respectively grade 3–4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Overall response was 84%, with 73% of complete remission. Median progression-free survival was of 19.8 months (95% CI 13.1-NR) and median overall survival was not reached with a median follow-up of 31 months. We suggest that one-day BV-bendamustine (120 mg/m2) ever 21 days is a safe and feasible treatment for R/R HL especially for elderly patients.