From OHC
October 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joanie Manzo
Director, OHC Marketing & Physician Services
513-751-2273 EXT. 10143
joan.manzo@usoncology.com
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is considered a highly treatable blood cancer. Advancements in diagnosis and treatment have helped give people with this disease the chance for a full recovery.
However, 20 percent of CHL patients do not respond well to treatment. Some develop serious side effects later in life, including infertility, heart problems, and secondary cancers, such as lung cancer and breast cancer.
These long-term side effects were caused in part by the types of chemotherapy and high doses of radiation therapy delivered to large areas of the body used at that time. Newer types and doses of chemotherapy and targeted radiation therapy have reduced these risks – but have not yet completely eliminated them.
OHC is excited about a new clinical trial in which they are evaluating two new drug combinations that look promising for their ability to treat CHL with fewer, milder side effects. One of the treatment combinations, known as A+AVD, includes the targeted anticancer drug, brentuximab vedotin, and three chemotherapy drugs, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. The other combination, known as AN+AD, includes brentuximab vedotin, plus nivolumab, doxorubicin, and dacarbazine. Patients will receive one treatment or the other.
These drugs work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells. What will be important is whether or not they cause side effects and how mild or intense they may be. This could be a game-changer for patients who want remission without giving up their overall health and lifestyle.
“When I met with Tyler Fegan, 26, who was diagnosed with CHL, I told him all about the A+AVD treatment and that he met the criteria to take it through our clinical trial. I explained how it can treat his cancer and may have fewer, milder side effects,” said OHC’s Miguel Islas-Ohlmayer, MD, medical oncologist, hematologist and transplant specialist who is the trial’s principal investigator.
“Being diagnosed with cancer has been a lot, so I had to think about it,” said Tyler, a Norwood resident. “And Dr. Islas has been great and very understanding. So, I talked to my mom and my friends and they told me to do it, so I am. And so far, it’s going well.”
The cancer experts at OHC are passionate about bringing life-changing treatments to all cancer patients in the region. Patients like Tyler inspire OHC to continue to offer these treatment options through their nationally recognized clinical trials program. Learn more about OHC’s clinical trials program, or request a second opinion, at ohcare.com or call 1-888-649-4800.
