Two Cycles of ABVD Followed by Involved Field Radiotherapy with 20 Gray Is the New Standard of Care in the Treatment of Patients with Early Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma: Final Analysis of the Randomized German Hodgkin Study Group Trial HD10

The GHSG HD10 trial, conducted between 1998 and 2003 with 1370 patients, compared 2 and 4 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy combined with either 20 Gy or 30 Gy involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) for early-stage favorable Hodgkin lymphoma. The study found no significant differences in overall survival, freedom from treatment failure, or progression-free survival between the different treatment regimens. However, 2 cycles of ABVD and 20 Gy IFRT were associated with significantly lower toxicity, including reduced rates of leukopenia and hair loss, compared to 4 cycles of ABVD and 30 Gy IFRT. The results supported the use of 2 cycles of ABVD followed by 20 Gy IFRT as the new standard of care due to similar efficacy but lower toxicity.