The goal of this phase III clinical trial was to make a direct head to head comparison between the chemotherapeutics; Bendamustine, Gemcitabine and Vinorelbine (BEGEV) and the the Gemcitabine, Dexamethasone and Cisplatin (GDP) regimens in the settings of relapsed and refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
Patients were allocated and randomly assigned to either arm. Cycles were received as out-patient setting, every 21 days. Patients were assessed by clinical and routine labs, before receiving the cycle. Efficacy was assessed by performing Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) after three cycles. Toxicity was reported according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria of AEs v4.0 and was dealt with accordingly. Patients attained at least partial response (PR) was sent for high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell rescue(HDC/ASCR). Patients were followed up for a total of 1 year