<![CDATA[Dr Herrera on the Significance of the FDA Approval of Nivolumab Plus AVD for Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma]]>

Advertisement Commentary|Videos|May 6, 2026 Dr Herrera on the Significance of the FDA Approval of Nivolumab Plus AVD for Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Author(s)Alex Herrera, MD Fact checked by: Riley Kandel, Chris Ryan Alex Herrera, MD, discusses the FDA approval of nivolumab plus AVD for classical Hodgkin lymphoma and its impact on clinical practice. Advertisement “The [FDA] approval for nivolumab plus AVD for patients with untreated, advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma marks an important advance for the treatment of these patients.”Alex Herrera, MD, a professor and chief of the Division of Lymphoma in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, as well as associate medical director of the Briskin Center for Clinical Research, at City of Hope, discussed the significance of the March 2026 FDA approval of nivolumab (Opdivo) in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (AVD) for patients with previously untreated stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma, its impact on the Hodgkin lymphoma treatment paradigm, and the data that supported the decision.Herrera began by remarking that data for nivolumab plus AVD demonstrated sizable improvements in outcomes for patients compared with brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) plus AVD. Moreover, he noted that in addition to improving outcomes for patients, nivolumab plus AVD was well tolerated.The regulatory decision was based on data from the phase 3 CA209-8UT/SWOG 1826 study (NCT03907488), which showed median progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes in favor of patients in the nivolumab plus AVD arm (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.67; P < .0001). Furthermore, 3-year follow-up data from the trial presented at the 2025 ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition displayed a 3-year PFS rate of 91% (95% CI, 88%-93%) in the nivolumab arm (n = 487) compared with 82% (95% CI, 78%-85%) in the brentuximab vedotin arm (n = 483; HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.34-0.69; P < .0001). Regarding safety, serious adverse effects (AE) and grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated AEs occurred at respective rates of 39% and 2.7% for patients in the nivolumab arm.Herrera closed by underscoring how he believes that the promising data for the nivolumab-based combination positions it to be a new standard-of-care in the frontline setting for patients with advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. NewsletterStay up to date on the most recent and practice-changing oncology dataSubscribe Now! Advertisement Related ContentAdvertisementDr Sznol on Optimal Treatment Sequencing in MelanomaByMario Sznol, MDMay 7th 2026Dr Mauro on the Significance of Alternative TKI Formulations in CMLByMichael J. Mauro, MDMay 7th 2026Dr Olawaiye on the FDA Approval of Relacorilant Plus Nab-Paclitaxel in PROCByAlexander B. Olawaiye, MDMay 7th 2026FDA Completes Type A Meeting Following CRL for Tabelecleucel in EBV+ R/R Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative DiseaseByChris RyanMay 7th 2026Dr McGregor on the DAD-IO Trial of Sacituzumab Govitecan and EV in Metastatic Urothelial CarcinomaByBradley A. McGregor, MDMay 6th 2026 Latest CMEVideoProactive Adverse Event Management for HER2+ BTC TreatmentsRahul Gosain, MD, MBA; Rohit Gosain, MD; Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS, FASCOView moreMultimediaCommunity Practice Connections™: Empowering Interventional Radiologists in the Emerging Era of Oncolytic Immunotherapies for MelanomaYana G. Najjar, MD; Douglas B. Johnson, MD, MSCI; Rahul A. Sheth, MD, FSIR View moreVirtual EventWisconsin Association of Hematology and Oncology1 Session is Available!View moreVideoCommunity Oncology Connections™: Beyond Primary End Points – Digging Into Randomized and Real-World Data to Guide Challenging Treatment Decisions in HR+/HER2− Metastatic Breast Cancer | Empire State Hematology & Oncology SocietySeth A. Wander, MD, PhD; Girish Kunapareddy, MDView moreVirtual EventArkansas Association of Cancer Professionals2 Sessions are Available!View moreVideoCommunity Oncology Connections™: Beyond Primary End Points – Digging Into Randomized and Real-World Data to Guide Challenging Treatment Decisions in HR+/HER2− Metastatic Breast Cancer | South Carolina Oncology SocietySeth A. Wander, MD, PhD; Kit Lu, MDView moreVideo19th Annual New York GU Cancers Congress®Maha Hussain, MD, FACP, FASCO; Daniel P. Petrylak, MDView moreIn-Person + Virtual EventGo to PER in ChicagoMay 29-31, 2026View moreVideoCommunity Oncology Connections™: Beyond Primary End Points – Digging Into Randomized and Real-World Data to Guide Challenging Treatment Decisions in HR+/HER2− Metastatic Breast Cancer | Tennessee Oncology Practice SocietySeth A. Wander, MD, PhD; Kamel Abou Hussein, MDView moreVirtual EventKansas Society of Clinical Oncology1 Session is Available!View moreVideoA Case-Guided Discussion on Managing Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)Cindy Neunert, MD, MSCS; Hanny Al-Samkari, MD; Joseph Shatzel, MD, MCRView moreVideoEvolving Treatment Strategies in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Standards, Emerging Targets, and the Role of Molecular TestingEileen M. O’Reilly, MD; E. Gabriela Chiorean, MD, FASCO; Michael J. Pishvaian, MD, PhD; Brian Wolpin, MD, MPHView moreVideoCases and Conversations™: Sorting Through the Expanding Treatment Options for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple MyelomaC. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD; Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD; Surbhi Sidana, MDView moreVideoTumor Board: Expert Insights on Managing Classical 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Mutations, 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Exon 20 Insertions, and Atypical 𝘌𝘎𝘍𝘙 Mutations in Metastatic NSCLCBalazs Halmos, MD, MS; Enriqueta Felip, MD, PhD; Julia Rotow, MDView moreVideoMedical Crossfire®: Improving Patient Outcomes in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms With Novel Therapeutic ApproachesRami Komrokji, MD; Gabriela Hobbs, MD; John Mascarenhas, MD; Naveen Pemmaraju, MDView moreVideoPER Tumor Board®: Applying Recent Advances to Transform the Treatment Paradigm in SCLC—Expert Perspectives on New Approvals and Emerging StrategiesJonathan W. Goldman, MD; Percy Lee, MD, FASTRO; Erminia Massarelli, MD, PhD, MS; Misty D. Shields, MD, PhDView moreVideoMedical Crossfire®: Precision Medicine in Glioma Treatment — Integration of Molecular Profiling to Inform Targeted TherapiesVinay K. Puduvalli, MD; Manmeet Ahluwalia, MD, MBA; Stephen J. Bagley, MD, MSCE; Angela Waanders, MD, MPH, MSView moreVideoMedical Crossfire®: Harnessing the Power of Modern Therapies in Newly Diagnosed Multiple MyelomaC. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD; Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD; Surbhi Sidana, MDView moreVideoMedical Crossfire®: Expert Perspectives on Targeting c-Met Overexpression and 𝘔𝘌𝘛 Genomic Alterations in NSCLC – Unveiling the Complexities of 𝘔𝘌𝘛 DysregulationRebecca Heist, MD, MPH; Alex A. Adjei, MD, PhD, FACP; Sandip Patel, MD, FASCO; Jeremy Segal, MD, PhDView moreVideoCases & Conversations™: Transforming AML Care—Precision Strategies, Evolving Therapies, and Clinical InsightsGail J. Roboz, MD; Hagop Kantarjian, MD; Catherine Lai, MD, MPH; Amer Zeidan, MBBS, MHSView moreVideoMedical Crossfire®: Integrating Next-Generation Endocrine Targeting Therapies to Improve Outcomes for Patients With HR+/HER2- Breast CancerWilliam J. Gradishar, MD, FASCO, FACP; Laura Huppert, MD; Yuan Yuan, MD, PhDView moreVideoGI Tumor Board—Applying Recent Advances in Biomarker Testing and Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal CancerJohn H. Strickler, MD; Stacey A. Cohen, MD; Aparna Parikh, MD; Kanwal P.S. Raghav, MBBS, MDView moreVideoBreast Cancer Tumor Board: Targeting TROP2 – Innovations in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer TreatmentJoyce O’Shaughnessy, MD; Matthew P. Goetz, MD; Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCOView moreMultimediaEstablishing the Rationale for ADC and ICI Combinations in TNBCVirginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc; Tiffany A. Traina, MD, FASCOView moreMultimediaBreaking Down the Rationale for Targeting TROP2 in TNBCFilipa Lynce, MD; Rita Nanda, MDView moreMultimediaDissecting Clinical Trial and Real-World Data for ADCs in TNBCFilipa Lynce, MD; Rita Nanda, MDView moreMultimediaEvaluating the Latest Data and Ongoing Trials for Novel ADC Approaches in TNBCAditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO; Erika P. Hamilton, MDView moreAudioBreaking Down the Latest Clinical Data for First-line Maintenance and R/R SCLCRahul Gosain, MD, MBA; Rohit Gosain, MD; Hossein Borghaei, DO, MSView moreVideoOptimizing Treatment for Biliary Tract CancersGhassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA; Laura Williams Goff, MD, MSCI, MMHC, FASCO; Arndt Vogel, MD, PhDView moreVideoCross-Disease Integration of Immunotherapy InnovationsGhassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA; Laura Williams Goff, MD, MSCI, MMHC, FASCO; Arndt Vogel, MD, PhDView moreAudioPractical Considerations and Future Directions for New Treatment Strategies in SCLCRahul Gosain, MD, MBA; Rohit Gosain, MD; Misty D. Shields, MD, PhDView moreMultimediaExpert Guidance on Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Use of ADCs in TNBCAditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO; Erika P. Hamilton, MD; Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DScView moreVideoBroadening the Frontline—Studies Informing the Use of Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular CarcinomaGhassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA; Laura Williams Goff, MD, MSCI, MMHC, FASCO; Arndt Vogel, MD, PhDView moreMultimediaPER Resource Center: Integrating Novel Approaches in TNBC – New Avenues for TROP2-Targeting ADCs and Beyond – NursingAditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO; Erika P. Hamilton, MD; Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc; Filipa Lynce, MD; Rita Nanda, MD; Tiffany A. Traina, MD, FASCOView moreMultimediaExpert Roundtable and Panel Discussions: Current and Future Landscape of TNBCAditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO; Erika P. Hamilton, MD; Tiffany A. Traina, MD, FASCOView moreVideoShow Me the Data®: New and Emerging Roles for Oral SERD Therapy in the Treatment of ER+/HER2– Breast CancerAna C. Garrido-Castro, MD; Pedram Razavi, MD, PhDView moreAudioNavigating Treatment Gaps in SCLC: Relapse, Resistance, and Need for New OptionsRahul Gosain, MD, MBA; Rohit Gosain, MD; Giannis Mountzios ΜD, PhDView moreVideoMedical Crossfire® in Adjunctive Testing: Charting a New Course in Prostate Cancer Risk AssessmentJason Hafron, MD; Aaron D. Berger, MD; Arpeet Shah, MDView moreMultimediaReady for Radioligand Therapy? Patient Selection and Sequencing SimplifiedJeremie Calais, MD, PhD; Tanya B. Dorff, MD; Scott T. Tagawa, MD, MS, FACP, FASCOView moreMultimediaWorking Together: Overcoming Barriers to Optimize Outcomes in Patients Treated With Radioligand Therapy Through Multidisciplinary CareJeremie Calais, MD, PhD; Tanya B. Dorff, MD; Nerina McDonald, MSPAS, PA-C; Scott T. Tagawa, MD, MS, FACP, FASCOView moreMultimediaBURST CME™ Resource Center: Integrating Novel PSMA-Directed Radioligand Approaches for Diagnosis and Management of Prostate CancerJeremie Calais, MD, PhD; Tanya B. Dorff, MD; Nerina McDonald, MSPAS, PA-C; Scott T. Tagawa, MD, MS, FACP, FASCOView moreMultimediaImaging Matters: Decoding PSMA PET for Better Decision-MakingJeremie Calais, MD, PhD; Tanya B. Dorff, MD; Scott T. Tagawa, MD, MS, FACP, FASCOView moreMultimediaRadioligand Therapy 101: The Science Behind the StrategyJeremie Calais, MD, PhD; Tanya B. Dorff, MD; Scott T. Tagawa, MD, MS, FACP, FASCOView moreVideo Advances in Managing EGFR-Mutant NSCLC: Applying Evidence Across the Disease ContinuumTina Cascone, MD, PhD; Christina Baik, MD, MPH; David Planchard, MD, PhDView moreMultimediaCommunity Practice Connections™: Enhancing Melanoma Outcomes With Intratumoral Oncolytic Immunotherapy–Strategies for the Multidisciplinary TeamYana G. Najjar, MD; Sapna Patel, MDView moreVideoA New Era of Targeted Therapy for Advanced NSCLC: Exploring Future Directions for Bispecific Antibodies and ADCsSandip Patel, MD, FASCO; Myung-Ju Ahn, MD; Giannis Mountzios, MD, MSc, PhD; Zofia Piotrowska, MD, MHSView moreVideoNavigating Advances in Neovascular Retinal Disease: Translating Evidence to Practice in AMD, DME, and RVOSriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO; Mark R. Barakat, MD, FASRS; David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRSView moreVideoEnhancing Prostate Cancer Outcomes – The Role of PSMA and Targeted Treatment StrategiesAna Kiess, MD, PhD; Erin Grady, MD, CCD, FACNM, FSNMMI; Himanshu Nagar, MD, MS; Scott T. Tagawa, MD, MS, FASCO, FACPView moreVideo(CME Track) Antibody–Drug Conjugates in Oncology: The Essentials of AE Management for Better Patient OutcomesMichelle L. Taylor, ANP-BC; Emely Alfaro, DNP, RN, CNS, OCN; Paige Griffith, CRNP; Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP, FAPOView more Advertisement Advertisement Trending on OncLive1Track the Lung Cancer Abstracts That are Gaining Attention at ASCO 20262Daraxonrasib Monotherapy Elicits Meaningful Responses in Previously Treated, RAS-Mutated Pancreatic Cancer3ASCO 2026 TNBC Deep Dive: Breast Cancer Experts Preview Practice-Informing Studies4FDA Completes Type A Meeting Following CRL for Tabelecleucel in EBV+ R/R Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease5Women With Bladder Cancer Face Diagnostic Delays as Symptoms Mimic UTIs, Experts Warn