BV (CD30-directed ADC) + nivolumab (PD-1) + limited chemo delivers 97% 2-year PFS in nonbulky early-stage cHL (SGN35-027)

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is a CD30-targeted antibody–drug conjugate and nivolumab is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor; in SGN35-027 Part C (Phase 2; NCT03646123), previously untreated Ann Arbor stage I–II nonbulky classical Hodgkin lymphoma received 4 cycles of BV+nivolumab+doxorubicin+dacarbazine (AN+AD) (n=154; 98% completed all 4 cycles). End-of-treatment ORR was 96% with 92% CR (95% in favorable and 91% in unfavorable risk), with 96% of CRs lasting ≥2 years and an estimated 2-year PFS of 97% at median 27.9 months’ follow-up; grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs occurred in 34%, febrile neutropenia was 0%, and immune-mediated AEs were 22% (any grade). These disease-control outcomes look in-family with modern combined-modality ABVD-based approaches that cure most early-stage patients (e.g., guideline-referenced ABVD + involved-site RT remains a common SOC backbone), but AN+AD’s differentiator is a bleomycin/vinblastine-sparing regimen designed to reduce pulmonary toxicity and potentially omit consolidative RT in a population where late effects matter.