Test of bendamustine in combination with gemcitabine and vinorelbine could contribute to a higher response rate with the reduction of toxic side effects

The aim of this study is to evaluate bendamustine, gemcitabine and vinorelbine (BeGEV) scheme efficacy as induction therapy to high dose chemotherapy with Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) for patients with relapsed/refractory Hodglin's Lymphoma (HL).

Four BeGEV courses repeated every 3 weeks in the absence of any reasons listed in the paragraph 7.5; whenever an objective response is observed at disease evaluation performed after IV cycle patients undergo to high dose chemotherapy with AHSCT (conditioning regimens based on preference of each Centre).

Inclusion Criteria:

• relapsed/refractory disease after receiving one line of standard chemotherapy
• history of classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL)
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≤ 2
• at least one site of measurable nodal disease at baseline ≥ 1.5 cm
• Absolute Neutrophils Count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 109/L; Platelets count ≥ 75 x 109/L

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma (NLPHL)
• prior radiation therapy ≤ 3 weeks prior to start of study treatment
• any concurrent anti-cancer therapy
• evidence of another malignancy not in remission or history of such a malignancy within the last 2 years.
• aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT) and/or alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT) ≥ 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or ≥ 5.0 x ULN if the transaminase elevation is due to disease involvement
• known history of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)seropositivity
• hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis B virus (HCV)active hepatitis