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peoplePerson

Alex F. Herrera

Led the SWOG S1826 trial that made nivolumab part of first-line Hodgkin lymphoma treatment.

Hematologist-oncologist and study chair of SWOG S1826 (nivolumab-AVD versus brentuximab-AVD), which led to the 2026 approval of nivolumab in untreated advanced Hodgkin lymphoma. Executive officer for SWOG's haematologic committees.

Role
Chief, Division of Lymphoma, City of Hope; SWOG Executive Officer, Leukemia/Lymphoma/Myeloma
Institution
City of Hope
Specialisms
Hodgkin lymphomaImmunotherapyCooperative group trials

Papers

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TitleJournalYear
Nivolumab+AVD in Advanced-Stage Classic Hodgkin's LymphomaNew England Journal of Medicine2024
Interim results of brentuximab vedotin in combination with nivolumab in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphomaBlood2018

Key papers

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rctNew England Journal of Medicine 2024changed practice
SWOG S1826: nivolumab plus AVD chemotherapy versus brentuximab-AVD for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma in adolescents and adults

S1826 moved checkpoint blockade into first-line Hodgkin lymphoma and made N-AVD a preferred regimen for advanced disease in patients from adolescence to older age, while removing radiotherapy for most. It also showed the value of a single trial spanning paediatric and adult groups. Longer follow-up is needed for overall survival and late immune effects in young patients.

Connected

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cancers

2
Diffuse large B-cell lymphomaHodgkin lymphoma

drugs

2
ApprovedADC
Brentuximab vedotin · Adcetris
ApprovedMonoclonal antibody (anti-PD-1)
Nivolumab · Opdivo / Opdivo Qvantig (SC)

institutions

2
City of HopeSWOG Cancer Research Network

trials

1
SWOG S1826

key papers

1
SWOG S1826: nivolumab plus AVD chemotherapy versus brentuximab-AVD for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma in adolescents and adults