๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-05-12

Fitness-adapted, Pembrolizumab-based Therapy for Untreated Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients 60 Years of Age and Above (NCT05404945)

Fitness-adapted, Pembrolizumab-based Therapy for Untreated Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients 60 Years of Age and Above (cHL 001)

๐Ÿ”ต Active, Not Recruiting Phase2 ๐Ÿ’Š Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: University of Virginia

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

This is a multi-center, open-label phase II study to assess the efficacy of a novel fitness-adapted regimen in previously untreated older patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma. All participants will receive up to a total of 8 cycles of pembrolizumab (Q6 week dosing). The first cycle of pembrolizumab will be administered in combination with brentuximab vedotin (BV) ("lead-in treatment"). Following lead-in treatment, all participants will undergo interim PET/CT (iPET) as well as fitness testing to help inform participant level of fitness for subsequent lymphoma-directed therapies. Participants deemed "Frail" by this assessment will continue 3 additional 6 week cycles of concurrent pembrolizumab and BV ("induction therapy", each cycle is 42 days), then continue single-agent pembrolizumab to complete up to 4 additional cycles (i.e., 8 total) of therapy ("consolidation and maintenance therapy", Frail cohort). Two additional BV doses will be given as consolidation, at days 1 and 22 of pembrolizumab cycle 5. Those deemed "fit" after lead-in therapy (Fit cohort) will continue pembrolizumab and switch from BV to concurrently-administered combination chemotherapy using doxorubicin (A), vinblastine (V), and dacarbazine (D) for a total of 4 planned AVD cycles (3, 6-week pembrolizumab cycles, "induction therapy"). Chemotherapy drugs will be given at standard doses as in ABVD (no bleomycin will be given in this study) on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle (C1AVD), and pembrolizumab dosing will remain every 42 days. Following end-induction PET/CT, pembrolizumab will continue every 42 days for up to 4 cycles in the consolidation/maintenance phase. Two additional BV doses will be given as consolidation, at days 1 and 22 of pembrolizumab cycle 5. Participants deemed "unfit" after lead-in therapy and by fitness assessment will continue pembrolizumab and switch from BV to concurrently administered combination chemotherapy termed "mini-avd" as induction therapy. Mini-avd consists of lower doses of conventional AVD chemotherapy (doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine) and will be administered for on days 1 and 15 of a 28 day cycle for 4 planned cycles. Pembrolizumab will continue every 42 days. Following end-induction PET/CT, pembrolizumab will continue every 42 days for up to 4 cycles in the consolidation/maintenance phase. Two additional BV doses will be given as consolidation, at days 1 and 22 of pembrolizumab cycle 5.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey โ€” New Brunswick, New Jersey

Age range: 60 Years

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (3 Sites)

  • Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey โ€” New Brunswick, New Jersey
  • University of Pennsylvania โ€” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • University of Virginia โ€” Charlottesville, Virginia

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—