Bendamustine for Relapsed and Refractory Hodgkin Lymphomas: Four Cases and a Review of the Literature

Aims: The management of relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma is challenging and new choices are needed. Brentuximab vedotin and bendamustine are two effective drugs in these cases. The aim of this study is to present the response to bendamustine after brentuximab failure.

Study Design: Retrospective study evaluating the response to bendamustine in four cases with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

Place and Duration of Study: Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Department of Oncology, between 2012 and 2014.

Methodology: Clinical and metabolic responses to bendamustine in four cases with relapsed refractory Hodgkin lymphoma were evaluated. Informed consent was obtained from the patients. Bendamustine was used in four cases with very refractory Hodgkin lymphoma after Brentuximab failure. The dosage was 120 mg/M2 for two consecutive days in 4 weeks, without growth factor support.

Results: Four cases with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma were treated with bendamustine after brentuximab vedotin failure. Complete metabolic response was documented in two cases,one case did not respond and only short duration of response was determined in one case.

Conclusion: Bendamustine is an effective and cost-effective choice in cases with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma after brentuximab vedotin failure. However response is of short duration and definitive treatment must be performed as soon as possible.