Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Children

Background & Aims. Most children with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) can be cured irrespective of the disease stage using modern risk adapted protocols. But 3–5 % of children develop relapse of the disease or refractoriness to the treatment performed. The aim of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of ViGePP vs ICE antitumor treatment regimens in patients with relapsed and refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as to evaluate the need in auto-HSCT and the site for a combined chemoradiation therapy in this patient population. Methods. From June, 2003, till December, 2014, 35 patients with relapsed (18) and refractory (17) HL received chemotherapy based on two regimes: ICE (n = 14; 40 %) and ViGePP (n = 14; 40 %). 7 (20 %) children were switched to another regimen due to a poor antitumor response to the first two courses of chemotherapy. Results. The direct effectiveness of the therapy was significantly higher in patients on ViGePP as compared to ICE irrespective of the disease status (relapsed or refractory). A complete response was achieved more often in those children with relapse HL whose initial treatment included radiation therapy. Higher survival rates were registered in girls, as well as in children with a complete overall response to the antirelapse therapy. In case of relapses, delayed treatment effects (disease free survival and overall survival) were higher in children treated with 4 courses of ViGePP than 2 courses of ICE. High-dose chemotherapy with subsequent auto-HSCT is not able to overcome refractoriness to the chemotherapy. Conclusion. Children with relapsed and refractory HL need an intensive antirelapse chemotherapy with subsequent HDC and auto-HSCT to achieve CR.