This phase III trial compares the effect of adding immunotherapy (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab) to standard treatment (chemotherapy with or without radiation) to the standard treatment alone in improving survival in patients with stage I and II classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Brentuximab vedotin is in a class of medications called antibody-drug conjugates. It is made of a monoclonal antibody called brentuximab that is linked to a cytotoxic agent called vedotin. Brentuximab attaches to CD30 positive lymphoma cells in a targeted way and delivers vedotin to kill them. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein that can bind to certain targets in the body, such as molecules that cause the body to make an immune response (antigens). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin hydrochloride, bleomycin sulfate, vinblastine sulfate, dacarbazine, and procarbazine hydrochloride work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill cancer cells. It may also lower the body's immune response. Etoposide is in a class of medications known as podophyllotoxin derivatives. It blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair and may kill cancer cells. Vincristine is in a class of medications called vinca alkaloids. It works by stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It is used to reduce inflammation and lower the body's immune response to help lessen the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Adding immunotherapy to the standard treatment of chemotherapy with or without radiation may increase survival and/or fewer short-term or long-term side effects in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma compared to the standard treatment alone.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To compare the progression-free survival (PFS) of a standard chemotherapy approach versus an immunotherapy (IO) approach (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab) in patients with newly diagnosed early stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) who have a rapid early response (RER) as determined by position emission tomography post cycle 2 (PET2) after 2 cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy.

II. To compare the PFS of a standard chemotherapy approach versus an IO therapy approach (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab) plus involved site radiation therapy (ISRT) in patients with newly diagnosed early stage cHL who have a slow early response (SER) as determined by PET2 after 2 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To demonstrate non-inferiority of overall survival (OS) at 12 years of IO therapy versus standard therapy in early stage cHL patients who have a RER as determined by PET2 after 2 cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy.

II. To evaluate the overall survival (OS) at 12 years of IO therapy versus standard therapy in early stage cHL patients who have a SER as determined by PET2 after 2 cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy.

III. To demonstrate non-inferiority of overall survival (OS) at 12 years of IO therapy versus standard therapy in early stage cHL patients.

IV. To evaluate in patients with newly diagnosed early stage cHL the PFS of a standard chemotherapy approach versus an IO therapy approach (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab) in the overall cohort, in the favorable risk cohort, and in the unfavorable risk cohort.

V. To evaluate the event-free survival (EFS) at 12 years of patients undergoing standard chemotherapy versus an IO therapy approach (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab).

VI. To compare the physician-reported treatment-related adverse event (AE) rates between a standard chemotherapy approach and an IO therapy approach (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab) in patients with newly diagnosed early stage cHL.

VII. To compare patient-reported adverse events using pediatric and adult versions of Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE), stratified by age groups, therapeutic arms, and receipt of radiation therapy (RT) over time.

VIII. To evaluate changes in patient-reported fatigue, cognitive functioning, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), e.g., emotional, physical, and role functioning, by treatment arm, using validated adult and pediatric measurement systems.

IX. To evaluate self-reported late morbidities (e.g., cardiovascular, pulmonary and endocrine) over time for children, adolescents and adults undergoing standard chemotherapy versus an IO therapy approach (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab) with and without RT using measures from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE).

X. To evaluate fludeoxyglucose F-18 (FDG)-position emission tomography (PET) measurements of metabolic tumor burden (MTV and total lesion glycolysis [TLG]) at PET at baseline (PET1) as a predictive marker of PFS.

XI. To evaluate the associations between race/ethnicity and key outcomes including early response to therapy, PFS and OS.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the PFS of a standard chemotherapy approach versus an IO therapy approach (brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab) in patients with newly diagnosed early stage cHL across different age groups (ages 5-11 years, 12-21 years, 22-39 years, 40-60 years).

II. To bank specimens for future correlative studies. III. To assess concordance and discordance of rapid central review and local institutional review of FDG PET 5-point score (5-PS; previously referred to as Deauville score) at baseline PET1, interim PET2 and end of systemic therapy PET-end of systemic therapy (EST) SER.

IV. To assess the association between PFS and the quantitative FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) parameters (PET MTV, TLG, delta-standardized uptake value [SUV] and PET SUV-based quantitative surrogates [qPET] of visual qualitative 5-PS) on measurements by automated measurements using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) through artificial-intelligence (AI) machine learning in the entire population.

V. To assess the agreement between quantitative FDG-PET/CT parameters obtained using AI and those based on measurements by a trained imaging physician.

VI. To compare patient-reported adverse events (via pediatric [Ped]-PRO-CTCAE and PRO-CTCAE) to provider adverse event reporting.

VII. To evaluate the association between self-reported race/ethnicity and social determinants of health.

VIII. To evaluate the associations between race/ethnicity and post-progression/post-relapse overall survival.

IX. To evaluate the completion rates of PRO and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) contact forms at 1 year off treatment for the first 450 eligible patients.

X. To collect contact information from participants for future re-contact.

OUTLINE: Patients are stratified by risk status (favorable versus unfavorable) and then all patients receive the ABVD regimen (doxorubicin hydrochloride intravenously [IV] over 3-15 minutes, bleomycin sulfate IV over at least 10 minutes, vinblastine sulfate IV, and dacarbazine IV over 15-60 minutes) on days 1 and 15 of each treatment cycle. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients then undergo FDG-PET/CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and are identified as RER or SER.

Patients with a favorable risk status and RER are randomized to Arm A or Arm B. Patients with a favorable risk status and SER are randomized to Arm C or Arm D. Patients with an unfavorable risk status and RER are randomized to Arm E or Arm F. Patients with an unfavorable risk status and SER are randomized to Arm G or Arm H.

ARM A (RER, FAVORABLE): Patients receive ABVD IV for an additional 2 cycles on study. Each cycle lasts 28 days and ABVD is administered on days 1 and 15 of each cycle in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo FDG-PET, PET, PET-CT, PET-MRI, CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection on trial.

ARM B (RER, FAVORABLE): Patients receive brentuximab vedotin IV over 30 minutes and nivolumab IV over 30 minutes once during each treatment cycle. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo FDG-PET, PET, PET-CT, PET-MRI, CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection on trial.

ARM C (SER, FAVORABLE): Patients receive either the eBEACOPP regimen (doxorubicin hydrochloride IV over 3-15 minutes on day 1, cyclophosphamide IV over 30-60 minutes on day 1, etoposide or etoposide phosphate IV over 2-4 hours on days 1-3, prednisone or prednisolone orally [PO] twice daily [BID] on days 1-14, procarbazine hydrochloride PO on days 1-7, bleomycin sulfate IV over at least 10 minutes on day 8, and vincristine sulfate IV on day 8 of each cycle) or the eBPDac regimen (doxorubicin hydrochloride IV 3-15 minutes on day 1, cyclophosphamide IV 30-60 minutes on day 1, etoposide or etoposide phosphate IV over 2-4 hours on days 1-3, prednisone or prednisolone PO BID on days 1-14, dacarbazine IV over 15-60 minutes on days 2 & 3, bleomycin sulfate IV over at least 10 minutes on day 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, vincristine sulfate IV on day 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 of each cycle). Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Subsequently, patients undergo ISRT. Patients also undergo FDG-PET, PET, PET-CT, PET-MRI, CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection on trial.

ARM D (SER, FAVORABLE): Patients receive brentuximab vedotin IV and nivolumab IV as in arm B followed by ISRT. Patients also undergo FDG-PET, PET, PET-CT, PET-MRI, CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection on trial.

ARM E (RER, UNFAVORABLE): Patients receive AVD regimen (doxorubicin hydrochloride IV over 3-15 minutes, vinblastine IV, and dacarbazine IV over 15-60 minutes) on days 1 and 15 of each treatment cycle. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 4 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo FDG-PET, PET, PET-CT, PET-MRI, CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection on trial.

ARM F (RER, UNFAVORABLE): Patients receive treatment as in arm B. Patients also undergo FDG-PET, PET, PET-CT, PET-MRI, CT, and/or MRI throughout the trial. Patients may also undergo blood sample collection on trial.

ARM G (SER, UNFAVORABLE): Patients receive treatment and imaging, and may undergo blood sample collection as in arm C.

ARM H (SER, UNFAVORABLE): Patients receive treatment and imaging, and may undergo blood sample collection as in arm D.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for the first year, then every 6 months for the second and third year, then annually until 12 years from date of registration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients must be 5 to 60 years of age at the time of enrollment

• Patients with newly diagnosed untreated histologically confirmed classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) (nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte-rich, or lymphocyte-depleted, or not otherwise specified [NOS]) with stage I or II disease

• Patients must have bidimensionally measurable disease (at least one lesion with longest diameter >= 1.5 cm)

• Patients must have a whole body or limited whole body PET scan performed within 42 days prior to enrollment. PET-CT is strongly preferred. PET-MRI allowed if intravenous contrast enhanced CT is also obtained

• Pediatric patients (age 5-17 years) with known or suspected mediastinal disease must have an upright posteroanterior (PA) chest X-ray (CXR) for assessment of bulky mediastinal disease.

  • Note: Pediatric patients who have received both a CT chest and upright PA CXR may meet the definition of bulk through either modality.

• Patients >= 18 years must have a performance status corresponding to Zubrod scores of 0, 1 or 2

• Patients =< 17 years of age must have a Lansky performance score of >= 50

• Pediatric patients (age 5-17 years): A serum creatinine based on age/sex as follows (within 28 days prior to enrollment):

  • 2 to < 6 years (age): 0.8 mg/dL (male), 0.8 mg/dL (female)
  • 6 to < 10 years (age): 1 mg/dL (male), 1 mg/dL (female)
  • 10 to < 13 years (age): 1.2 mg/dL (male), 1.2 mg/dL (female)
  • 13 to < 16 years (age): 1.5 mg/dL (male), 1.4 mg/dL (female)
  • >= 16 years (age): 1.7 mg/dL (male), 1.4 mg/dL (female) OR a 24 hour urine creatinine clearance >= 50 mL/min/1.73 m^2 (within 28 days prior to enrollment) OR a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >= 50 mL/min/1.73 m^2 (within 28 days prior to enrollment). GFR must be performed using direct measurement with a nuclear blood sampling method OR direct small molecule clearance method (iothalamate or other molecule per institutional standard)
  • Note: Estimated GFR (eGFR) from serum or plasma creatinine, cystatin C or other estimates are not acceptable for determining eligibility

• For adult patients (age 18 years or older) (within 28 days prior to enrollment): Creatinine clearance >= 30 mL/min, as estimated by the Cockcroft and Gault formula or a 24-hour urine collection. The creatinine value used in the calculation must have been obtained within 28 days prior to registration. Estimated creatinine clearance is based on actual body weight

• Total bilirubin =< 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (within 28 days prior to enrollment)

  • Unless due to Gilbert's disease, lymphomatous involvement of liver or vanishing bile duct syndrome

• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) =< 3 x ULN (within 28 days prior to enrollment)

  • Unless due to Gilbert's disease, lymphomatous involvement of liver or vanishing bile duct syndrome

• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =< 3 x ULN (within 28 days prior to enrollment)

  • Unless due to Gilbert's disease, lymphomatous involvement of liver or vanishing bile duct syndrome

• Shortening fraction of >= 27% by echocardiogram (ECHO), multigated acquisition scan (MUGA), or functional cardiac imaging scan (within 28 days prior to enrollment) or ejection fraction of >= 50% by radionuclide angiogram, ECHO, MUGA, or cardiac imaging scan (within 28 days prior to enrollment)

• Diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) >= 50% of predicted value as corrected for hemoglobin by pulmonary function test (PFT) (within 28 days prior to enrollment). If unable to obtain PFTs, the criterion is: a pulse oximetry reading of > 92% on room air

• Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial

• For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated. Patients with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

• Patients with a history of active interstitial pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease

• Patients with a diagnosis of inherited or acquired immunodeficiency that is poorly controlled or requiring active medications, such as primary immunodeficiency syndromes or organ transplant recipients

• Patients with any known uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would jeopardize the patient's safety such as infection, autoimmune conditions, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, and gastrointestinal disorders affecting swallowing and/or absorption of pills

• Patients with a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (defined as equivalent to > 10 mg daily predniSONE for patients >= 18 years or > 0.5 mg/kg [up to 10 mg/day] for patients < 18 years) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days prior to enrollment

  • Note: Replacement therapy such as thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency is not considered a form of systemic treatment. Inhaled or topical steroids, and adrenal replacement doses (=< 10 mg daily for patients >= 18 years or =< 0.5 mg/kg [up to 10 mg/day] predniSONE equivalents) are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease
  • Note: Steroid use for the control of Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms is allowable, but must be discontinued by cycle 1, day 1
  • Short term use of corticosteroids for premedication or treatment of an allergy or hypersensitivity is considered an acceptable use of corticosteroids.

• Patients with peripheral neuropathy > grade 1 at the time of enrollment or patients with known Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome

• Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen

• Administration of prior chemotherapy, radiation, or antibody-based treatment for cHL

• Prior solid organ transplant

• Prior allogeneic stem cell transplantation

• Live vaccine within 30 days prior to planned day 1 of protocol therapy (e.g., measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, yellow fever, rabies, bacillus Calmette Guerin [BCG], oral polio vaccine, and oral typhoid). Administration of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines are permitted

• Female patients who are pregnant since fetal toxicities and teratogenic effects have been noted for several of the study drugs. A pregnancy test within 28 days prior to enrollment is required for female patients of childbearing potential

• Lactating females who plan to breastfeed their infants starting with the first dose of study therapy and for at least 6 months after the last treatment

• Sexually active patients of reproductive potential who have not agreed to use a highly effective contraceptive method for the duration of their study drug therapy. Following therapy, patients will be advised to use contraception as per institutional practice or as listed below for investigational agents, whichever is longer

  • Men and women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must use effective contraception during the study and for 2 months for WOCBP and 4 months for men, after last dose of brentuximab vedotin
  • WOCBP must continue contraception for a period of at least 5 months after the last dose of nivolumab

• All patients and/or their parents or legal guardians must sign a written informed consent

• All institutional, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Cancer Institute (NCI) requirements for human studies must be met

NCI is committed to sharing data in accordance with NIH policy. For more details on how clinical trial data is shared, access the link to the NIH data sharing policy page