Hodgkin lymphoma transformation in patients with chemotherapy-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia - Report - MDSpire
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Transformation to Hodgkin Lymphoma in Chemotherapy-Naïve Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

  • By

  • Paul J. Hampel

  • Ying Huang

  • John N. Allan

  • Seema A. Bhat

  • David Bond

  • Danielle M. Brander

  • John C. Byrd

  • Julio C. Chavez

  • Elise Chong

  • Alexey Danilov

  • Matthew S. Davids

  • Kaitlyn Dvorak-Kornaus

  • Hannah Freedman

  • Nikita Malakhov

  • Matthew Matasar

  • Cecelia Miller

  • Sarah Miller

  • Zulfa Omer

  • Sameer A. Parikh

  • Erin M. Parry

  • Kari G. Rabe

  • Phil Raess

  • Manoj Rai

  • Joanna M. Rhodes

  • Kerry A. Rogers

  • Aditi Saha

  • Jake Schade

  • Geoffrey Shouse

  • Stephen Spurgeon

  • Deborah Stephens

  • Yucai Wang

  • Jennifer A. Woyach

  • Max Yano

  • Adam S. Kittai

  • September 26, 2026

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Clinical Report: Transformation to Hodgkin Lymphoma in CLL Patients

Background

Hodgkin lymphoma transformation in CLL patients is a rare but significant occurrence, affecting approximately 1 in 200 patients within a decade of diagnosis.

Data Highlights

CharacteristicHT-No prior CLL treatmentHT-Prior CLL treatment
Median age at HT diagnosis66 years66 years
24-month OS86% (95% CI: 64–95%)70% (95% CI: 37–88%)
Overall response rate79%N/A
Complete response rate67%N/A

Key Findings

  • 43 patients developed HT, with 23 in the HT-No prior CLL treatment group and 20 in the HT-Prior CLL treatment group.
  • The median interval between CLL diagnosis and HT was 2.7 years.
  • Initial management of HT included ABVD in 16 patients and brentuximab vedotin in 10 patients.
  • The overall response rate to first-line HT treatment was 79%, with a complete response rate of 67%.
  • Median follow-up after HT diagnosis was 28.6 months, with a 24-month overall survival of 80% across the cohort.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that the timing and type of prior CLL treatment may influence the clinical outcomes of patients who develop Hodgkin lymphoma transformation. Clinicians should consider these factors when planning treatment strategies for affected patients.

Conclusion

Hodgkin lymphoma transformation in CLL patients presents distinct clinical outcomes based on prior treatment history, emphasizing the need for tailored management approaches.

Related Resources & Content

  1. EHA Guidelines on management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Richter transformation - PMC, 2026 -- EHA Guidelines
  2. ASCO Publications — Transformation to Aggressive Lymphoma in Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma, 2010 -- ASCO Publications
  3. The ASCO Post — Predictors and Treatment for Transformed Lymphoma: Current Paradigms, 2012 -- The ASCO Post
  4. NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, Version 2.2026 -- NCCN Guidelines
  5. the asco post — Transplant-Free Treatment Approach in Relapsed Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children and Adolescents and Young Adults
  6. Frontiers in Oncology — Evolution of therapeutic paradigms in Hodgkin lymphoma: from “cure-oriented” to “functional cure”
  7. EHA Guidelines on management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Richter transformation - PMC
  8. NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, Version 2.2026.

Original Source(s)

Hodgkin lymphoma transformation in patients with chemotherapy-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia

  • by Paul J. Hampel, Ying Huang, John N. Allan, Seema A. Bhat, David Bond, Danielle M. Brander, John C. Byrd, Julio C. Chavez, Elise Chong, Alexey Danilov, Matthew S. Davids, Kaitlyn Dvorak-Kornaus, Hannah Freedman, Nikita Malakhov, Matthew Matasar, Cecelia Miller, Sarah Miller, Zulfa Omer, Sameer A. Parikh, Erin M. Parry, Kari G. Rabe, Phil Raess, Manoj Rai, Joanna M. Rhodes, Kerry A. Rogers, Aditi Saha, Jake Schade, Geoffrey Shouse, Stephen Spurgeon, Deborah Stephens, Yucai Wang, Jennifer A. Woyach, Max Yano, Adam S. Kittai

  • September 26, 2026

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