OnCo

Hodgkin lymphoma: lines of therapy

Cancer page →

9 standard-of-care settings across 6 lines and 2 biomarker subgroups. Rows come from the cancer page's standard of care; the grid places each on its line and subgroup.

LineAll comersAge group
Early / localised1·
Locally advanced1·
Advanced, first line3·
Second line2·
Special situations1·
Other settings·1

Early / localised

SubgroupSettingApproachProducts and trialsEvidence
All comersEarly stage, favourable (I-II)ABVD × 2 + involved-site radiotherapy 20 Gy (HD10), or PET-adapted omission of radiotherapy after 3 cycles if PET-negative (RAPID, HD16) accepting ~5% lower PFS; AHOD2131 tests BV-nivo.91

Locally advanced

SubgroupSettingApproachProducts and trialsEvidence
All comersEarly stage, unfavourable (I-II bulky or risk factors)ABVD × 4 + ISRT 30 Gy, or escalated BEACOPP × 2 + ABVD × 2 + RT (HD14/HD17 PET-guided); nivolumab- or BV-containing regimens in trials.91

Advanced, first line

SubgroupSettingApproachProducts and trialsEvidence
All comersAdvanced stageNivolumab-AVD (2026) or BV-AVD; PET-adapted.86
All comersAdvanced stage (III-IV), age ≤60Nivolumab-AVD × 6 (S1826; approved March 2026, no routine radiotherapy) or BV-AVD × 6 with G-CSF (ECHELON-1); in Europe PET-guided BrECADD × 4-6 (HD21) or eBEACOPP; PET-adapted ABVD/AVD (RATHL) where novel agents unavailable.89
All comersAdvanced stage, age >60Nivolumab-AVD (S1826 included older adults with less toxicity than BV-AVD); sequential brentuximab → AVD → brentuximab; avoid bleomycin; ABVD/AVD with dose adaptation.89

Second line

SubgroupSettingApproachProducts and trialsEvidence
All comersFirst relapse, transplant-eligibleSalvage (ICE, DHAP, GVD, BV-nivolumab or pembrolizumab-GVD) → PET-negativehigh-dose therapy and autologous transplant; brentuximab consolidation for high-risk (AETHERA); PD-1 maintenance in trials.98
All comersRelapse after transplant or transplant-ineligiblePembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-204) or nivolumab; brentuximab vedotin if not yet given; BV + nivolumab; allogeneic transplant for fit patients after response; CD30 CAR-T in trials; palliative radiotherapy or bendamustine.98

Special situations

SubgroupSettingApproachProducts and trialsEvidence
All comersSurvivorshipLifelong surveillance for cardiac disease (anthracycline, mediastinal RT), breast cancer screening from 8 years after chest RT in women, thyroid and lung checks, fertility counselling before therapy.79

Other settings

SubgroupSettingApproachProducts and trialsEvidence
Age groupPaediatric (COG / EuroNet)Risk-adapted OEPA/COPDAC (EuroNet-PHL-C2) or ABVE-PC with brentuximab (AHOD1331, EFS benefit) and PET-guided radiotherapy omission; S1826 and AHOD2131 now enrol from age 12 or 5.83

Sequence and caution pairings

Regimens in the library

Lines and subgroups are parsed from the setting text of each standard-of-care row and can misclassify an unusual phrasing; the row’s own setting is always shown. Guideline chips reflect the NCCN category and ESMO-MCBS grade recorded on the cancer page, checked on its stated date. Not medical advice.