Risk-Stratified and Response-Adapted Therapy for Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma in Argentina: The GATLA Experience
David Veron1, Patricia Streitenberger2, Mónica Matus3
1Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
International cooperation improved outcomes for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma patients, particularly those with high-risk disease. This strategy reduced radiotherapy use while maintaining excellent long-term survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hematology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- International collaboration between GATLA and AHOPCA, supported by St. Jude, led to the OEPA/COPDAC strategy.
- This strategy aims to improve outcomes for high-risk (HR) pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients.
- The study incorporates the ABVD regimen for intermediate-risk (IR) and low-risk (LR) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the OEPA/COPDAC strategy in pediatric HL patients.
- To compare outcomes with previous treatment protocols.
- To assess the feasibility of reducing radiotherapy in LR and IR patients.
Main Methods:
- Patients were stratified into HR, IR, and LR groups based on disease stage.
- Treatment modalities included OEPA-COPDAC for HR and ABVD for IR/LR patients, with varying radiotherapy (IFRT) schedules.
- Response assessment utilized PET/CT scans.
Main Results:
- 171 pediatric patients were analyzed, with 57.3% in the HR group.
- The 10-year overall survival (OS) was 95% and event-free survival (EFS) was 91% for all patients.
- Radiotherapy was omitted in 95% of LR and 70% of IR patients, with 10-year OS of 93% and EFS of 87.8% for HR patients.
Conclusions:
- The OEPA/COPDAC strategy significantly improved outcomes for pediatric HL patients in Argentina compared to historical data.
- This international cooperation reduced radiotherapy requirements.
- The study successfully reproduced European outcomes for HR patients in a different setting.
Abstract:
Background: The international cooperation between GATLA and AHOPCA with the support of St. Jude led to the adoption of the OEPA/COPDAC as a strategy to improve outcomes in high risk (HR) patients with HL. This study also includes the ABVD regimen for intermediate risk (IR) and low risk (LR) patients. Methods: Patients were stratified by predefined risk assignment. HR was defined as a disease in stages II B, III B, and IV. Modality treatment: LR: ABVD × 4 ± IFRT (20 Gy); IR: ABVD × 6 ± IFRT (20 Gy); and HR: OEPA-COPDAC + IFRT (20/25 Gy). The staging and response were reviewed in a periodic discussion of presentation of cases in the group. Eligibility for radiotherapy: LR patients in partial response (PR) after 4 ABVD and IR patients in PR after 2 ABVD received IFRT. All HR patients received IFRT at 20 (complete response (CR)) or 25 Gy (PR) depending on the response achieved after the first two OEPA cycles. Results: From November 2012 to June 2022, 203 pediatric patients were enrolled. A total of 171 patients were eligible in this analysis. HR: 98 patients (57.3%), IR: 52 patients (30.4%), and LR: 21 patients (12.3%). More than half of the patients were in stages III and IV and more than half also presented B symptoms. The response evaluation was performed by PET/CT in 147/171 patients (86%). A total of 68/171 patients (40%) did not received radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was omitted in 95% of the LR patients and 70% of the IR patients. The 10-year OS was 95% (90.7-97.6) for the 171 patients and 93% (85.3-96.4) for HR patients. The 10-year EFS was 91% (85.2-94.2) for the 171 patients and 87.8% (79.5-92.9) for HR patients. Conclusion: The international cooperation made it possible to significantly improve the outcomes of patients with advance disease in Argentina compared with our previous experience (7-PHD-96: COPP-ABV × 6 + IFRT Bulky Disease or PR (20/25 Gy): 5yOS: 85%, 5yEFS: 67%), reduce the number of patients who required radiotherapy, and reproduce the European experience for HR patients in a totally different context.
