Avastin (Bevacizumab) Plus Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine and Dacarbazine (ABVD) for Advanced Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2015-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of Avastin
when combined with standard chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. Avastin works differently than
standard chemotherapy drugs. It is a type of protein called an antibody which binds to a
substance called VEGF(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). VEGF stimulates the growth of the
blood vessels that feed tumors and encourages tumor cell growth. VEGF is produced in excess
by Hodgkin lymphoma cells, and is associated with a poorer outcome in patients with Hodgkin
lymphoma. When the activity of VEGF is interrupted in multiple other cancer types, the blood
vessels around the tumor cells die resulting in less nutrient delivery and death to the
tumor. Blocking of VEGF has also been shown to improve delivery of chemotherapy to cancer
cells, making standard chemotherapy work better. This trial uses Avastin in combination with
standard chemotherapy with the goal of improving the cure rate over chemotherapy alone.