# Hodgkin lymphoma

The EU has approved 8 indications of 3 drugs in hodgkin lymphoma. 4 of them need a biomarker result: CD30 (4).

## Approved indications

### CD30-positive

| Drug | Biomarker requirement | Regimen | Setting | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Brentuximab vedotin](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/brentuximab-vedotin) (Adcetris) | CD30 CD30+ | + doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine | 1st line, advanced | - |
| [Brentuximab vedotin](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/brentuximab-vedotin) (Adcetris) | CD30 CD30+ | + etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, dacarbazine, dexamethasone | 1st line, advanced | Stage IIB with risk factors, Stage III or Stage IV |
| [Brentuximab vedotin](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/brentuximab-vedotin) (Adcetris) | CD30 CD30+ | Monotherapy | Consolidation | Following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT); At increased risk of relapse or progression Ambiguous in the label (treatment phase): check the SmPC. |
| [Brentuximab vedotin](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/brentuximab-vedotin) (Adcetris) | CD30 CD30+ | Monotherapy | 3rd line+ | Following ASCT, or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option |

### No biomarker required

| Drug | Biomarker requirement | Regimen | Setting | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Nivolumab](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/nivolumab) (Opdivo) | None | + doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (AVD) | 1st line, advanced | Classical Hodgkin lymphoma only; Stage III or IV |
| [Nivolumab](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/nivolumab) (Opdivo) | None | + brentuximab vedotin | 2nd line | Classical Hodgkin lymphoma only; After one prior line of therapy; Aged 5 up to 30 years |
| [Nivolumab](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/nivolumab) (Opdivo) | None | Monotherapy | 3rd line+ | Classical Hodgkin lymphoma only; After autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and treatment with brentuximab vedotin |
| [Pembrolizumab](https://oncolabels.com/drugs/pembrolizumab) (Keytruda) | None | Monotherapy | 3rd line+ | Classical Hodgkin lymphoma only; Failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT is not a treatment option; Aged 3 years and older |

## Label wording

- **Pembrolizumab** (Keytruda), Hodgkin lymphoma, 3rd line+: “KEYTRUDA as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult and paediatric patients aged 3 years and older with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma who have failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT is not a treatment option.” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/keytruda-epar-product-information_en.pdf)
- **Nivolumab** (Opdivo), Hodgkin lymphoma, 1st line, advanced: “OPDIVO in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (AVD) is indicated for adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma.” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/opdivo-epar-product-information_en.pdf)
- **Nivolumab** (Opdivo), Hodgkin lymphoma, 2nd line: “OPDIVO in combination with brentuximab vedotin is indicated for the treatment of children 5 years of age and older, adolescents and adults up to 30 years of age with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after one prior line of therapy (see section 5.1).” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/opdivo-epar-product-information_en.pdf)
- **Nivolumab** (Opdivo), Hodgkin lymphoma, 3rd line+: “OPDIVO as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and treatment with brentuximab vedotin.” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/opdivo-epar-product-information_en.pdf)
- **Brentuximab vedotin** (Adcetris), Hodgkin lymphoma, 1st line, advanced: “ADCETRIS is indicated for adult patients with previously untreated CD30+ Stage III or IV Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (AVD) (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/adcetris-epar-product-information_en.pdf)
- **Brentuximab vedotin** (Adcetris), Hodgkin lymphoma, 1st line, advanced: “ADCETRIS is indicated for adult patients with previously untreated CD30+ Stage IIB with risk factors, Stage III or Stage IV HL in combination with etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, dacarbazine, dexamethasone (BrECADD) (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/adcetris-epar-product-information_en.pdf)
- **Brentuximab vedotin** (Adcetris), Hodgkin lymphoma, consolidation: “ADCETRIS is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with CD30+ HL at increased risk of relapse or progression following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) (see section 5.1).” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/adcetris-epar-product-information_en.pdf)
- **Brentuximab vedotin** (Adcetris), Hodgkin lymphoma, 3rd line+: “ADCETRIS is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30+ Hodgkin lymphoma (HL):
1. following ASCT, or 2. following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option.” [SmPC](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/adcetris-epar-product-information_en.pdf)

Source: section 4.1 of each summary of product characteristics (SmPC), EMA data as of 5 Nov 2026. AI models structured these entries and no person has checked them yet. oncolabels is a non-commercial reference for education and research and gives no medical advice; the current SmPC takes precedence.

Data under CC BY 4.0: credit oncolabels and the European Medicines Agency. Page: https://oncolabels.com/tumours/hodgkin-lymphoma