Active not recruitingPHASE3INTERVENTIONAL

Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Hodgkin's Lymphoma

This study is a clinical trial for people with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the immune system. Doctors are comparing different combinations of chemotherapy drugs and whether adding radiation therapy helps. The main goal is to find out which treatments work best to fight the cancer, how they affect patients in the long term, and to keep side effects to a minimum. This research is important because it could lead to better and safer treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, improving their chances of recovery and quality of life.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

PHASE3

Sponsor

European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - EORTC

Enrolment target

1,649

Start

01 Oct 1998

Lymphoma

What is this study about?

This study is a type of medical research called a clinical trial, and it's looking at ways to treat a specific type of cancer called Hodgkin's lymphoma. Hodgkin's lymphoma starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of your immune system. Doctors are trying to find the best treatment combinations to fight this cancer.

In this trial, they are comparing different types of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. They are also looking at whether adding radiation therapy makes a difference. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays, like X-rays, to target and destroy cancer cells. Sometimes, combining different treatments can be more effective.

The main aim of this study is to discover which combinations of these treatments work best to get rid of the cancer, how long their effects last, and to keep an eye on any side effects, both short-term and those that might appear later. By doing this, researchers hope to improve how Hodgkin's lymphoma is treated, making future treatments more effective and gentler for patients.

Key takeaways

This study investigates different treatment combinations for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
It compares various chemotherapy plans, with or without radiation therapy.
The goal is to find effective treatments with fewer long-term side effects.
Parts of the study are now closed, meaning they have finished recruiting patients for those sections.
Taking part can offer access to new treatments but also carries potential risks from side effects.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, people generally need to be diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma for the first time and haven't had any previous treatment for it. The cancer should be in certain areas above the diaphragm, which is the muscle separating your chest from your abdomen.

This study was for people between 15 and 70 years old. You couldn't have other serious health problems, like severe heart or lung disease, or other serious cancers (besides some common skin cancers or very early cervical cancer). They also checked that patients were HIV negative and, if fertile, were using effective contraception.

It's important to know that many parts of this study are now closed to new patients, as they ended recruitment several years ago. This means they've finished collecting information from patients for those specific parts of the research.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have you been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Is this your first time being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Are you between 15 and 70 years old?
Do you have good general health, without severe heart, lung, or other serious diseases?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed information about participation isn't fully provided, but in a trial like this, you would typically receive one of the study treatments – either a specific chemotherapy combination, or that chemotherapy combination plus radiation therapy. You would have regular visits to the hospital for your treatments and check-ups. These visits would involve tests to see how the treatment is working and to monitor any side effects.

The specific duration of treatment and follow-up would depend on which treatment group you were in and your response. Generally, after the main treatment phase, there would be follow-up appointments over several years to track your health and check for any recurrence of the cancer or long-term side effects. The exact number of visits, tests, and total duration would be explained in detail by the study team if you were considering joining.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in a clinical trial might offer the benefit of receiving some of the newest treatments available for Hodgkin's lymphoma, which could potentially work better than existing options. However, there are also risks. The treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, can cause side effects, some of which might be serious or long-lasting. The specific risks would depend on the treatment you receive. You would be closely monitored for any problems. Remember, your participation is voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your future medical care.

Locations (121)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Sint Augustinus Ziekenhuis
Verified postcode
Antwerp, Belgium
A.Z. St. Jan
Verified postcode
Bruges, Belgium
C.H.U. Saint-Pierre
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium
Institut Jules Bordet
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Brugmann
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium
Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen
Verified postcode
Edegem, Belgium
U.Z. Gasthuisberg
Verified postcode
Leuven, Belgium
Clinique Universitaire De Mont-Godinne
Unverified
Mont-Godinne Yvoir, Belgium
Clinique Saint-Pierre
Verified postcode
Ottignies, Belgium
Centre Hospitalier Annemasse Bonneville
Verified postcode
Ambilly, France
Centre Hospitalier d'Annecy
Verified postcode
Annecy, France

Common questions

What is Hodgkin's lymphoma?

It's a type of cancer that starts in certain white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of your body's immune system.

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It's a common treatment for many cancers.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays, like X-rays, to target and destroy cancer cells in a specific area of the body.

Why combine chemotherapy and radiation?

Doctors sometimes combine these treatments because they can work in different ways to attack cancer, potentially making the overall treatment more effective.

Is this study still recruiting patients?

Many parts of this specific study closed to new patients several years ago, meaning they have finished collecting information from participants for those sections.