You are using an outdated browser. We suggest you update your browser for a better experience. Click here for update.
Close this notification.
Skip to main content Skip to search

COVID-19: Get the latest updates or take a self-assessment.

Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Find out more about hepatitis B virus screening and management.

Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.

A - Regimen Name

ABVD Regimen
ADRIAMYCIN ® (DOXOrubicin)-Bleomycin-VinBLAStine-Dacarbazine


Disease Site
Hematologic
Lymphoma - Hodgkin


Intent
Curative

Regimen Category
Evidence-Informed :

Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR).  Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.


Rationale and Uses

First-line therapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma

 
B - Drug Regimen

DOXOrubicin
25 mg /m² IV Days 1 & 15
bleomycin
10 units /m² IV Days 1 & 15
vinBLAStine
6 mg /m² IV Days 1 & 15
dacarbazine
375 mg /m² IV Days 1 & 15
back to top
 
C - Cycle Frequency

REPEAT EVERY 28 DAYS

For a usual total of 6-8 cycles

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Antiemetic Regimen:

Moderate


Febrile Neutropenia Risk:

Moderate

Other Supportive Care:

  • Sperm banking should be offered for males due to effects on fertility.
  • Women of child-bearing potential should be placed on oral contraceptives or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in an effort to preserve fertility during chemotherapy.

Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.

Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline.

 
E - Dose Modifications

Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated. 

Dosage with toxicity

Toxicity   Action / Dose (% Previous)*
 Doxorubicin  Bleomycin  Vinblastine  Dacarbazine
Febrile neutropenia** or grade 4 ANC for ≥ 5-7 days  Consider adding G-CSF support and continuing current dose, if clinically appropriate.
Thrombocytopenic bleeding  Hold, then 75%  Hold, then 100%  Hold, then 75%  Hold, then 75%
Grade 3 related organ / non-hematologic  Hold, then 75%  Hold, then 75%  Hold, then 75%  Hold, then 75%; discontinue if recurs after 2 dose reductions.
Grade 4 related organ / non-hematologic Discontinue.
Pulmonary: Pneumonitis
 

100% if clinically appropriate

Hold and investigate. Discontinue if confirmed; treat with corticosteroids. 100% if clinically appropriate 100% if clinically appropriate
Cardiac: ECG changes; pleuropericarditis, cardiotoxicity*** Hold and investigate. If cardiotoxicity, discontinue. Hold and investigate. If ECG changes or pleuropericarditis, consider ↓ infusion rate or discontinue. 100% if clinically appropriate 100% if clinically appropriate

*Do not retreat until ANC ≥ 1-1.5 x 109L, platelets ≥ 100 x 109L and toxicity ≤ grade 2.

**G-CSF support should be considered after first episode of febrile neutropenia or delay of dose ≥1 week.

***including any signs and symptoms of heart failure, a greater than 10% decline in LVEF to below the lower limit of normal, a greater than 20% decline in LVEF from any level, or LVEF ≤ 45%



Hepatic Impairment

No dose adjustments required for bleomycin. No data available for dacarbazine. 

DOXOrubicin

 

Bilirubin (µmol/L)

 

 

AST / ALT

% Usual Dose

1-2 x ULN

 

 

50%

2-4 x ULN

and/or

5-10 x ULN

25%

>4 x ULN

and/or

>10 x ULN

Consider omit

 

vinBLAStine

 

Bilirubin %  Usual Dose
>1 - 2.5 x ULN 50%
>2.5 - 4 x ULN 25%
>4 x ULN Consider omit

Renal Impairment

 

Creatinine Clearance  (mL/min)

DOXOrubicin 

(% Usual Dose)

Bleomycin 

(% Usual Dose)

VinBLAStine 

(% Usual Dose)

Dacarbazine* 

(% Usual Dose)

>50  No adjustment required 100% No adjustment required 100%
>30-50 75% 75%
10-30 50% or discontinue
<10 50% Discontinue

 *modified from Kintzel et al 1995


 
F - Adverse Effects

Refer to DOXOrubicin, bleomycin, vinBLAStine, dacarbazine drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects.


Very common (≥ 50%)

Common (25-49%)

Less common (10-24%)

Uncommon (< 10%),

but may be severe or life-threatening

  • Myelosuppression ± infection, bleeding (may be severe)
  • Alopecia
  • Nausea, vomiting (may be severe)
  • Anorexia, wieght loss
  • Fever, chills
  • Fatigue
  • Hyperkeratosis
  • Skin hyperpigmentation
  • Mucositis (may be severe)
  • Urine discolouration
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Injection site reaction/phlebitis
  • Nail disorder
  • ECG changes
  • Paresthesia (may be severe)
  • Pneumonitis
  • Cardiotoxicity
  • Arterial/venous thromboembolism
  • Arrhythmia
  • Secondary malignancy
  • Myocarditis/pericarditis
  • Pleuropericarditis
  • Blurred vision
  • Hearing impairment
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • ↑ LFTs
  • Hepatic necrosis
  • Veno-occlusive disease
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Rash
  • Photosensitivity
  • Radiation recall reaction
  • SIADH
  • Seizure
  • Autonomic/ cranial neuropathy, loss of deep tendon reflex
  • Tumour lysis syndrome
 
G - Interactions

Refer to DOXOrubicin, bleomycin, vinBLAStine, dacarbazine drug monograph(s) for additional details.


  • Avoid use of calcium channel blockers (e.g. verapamil) or bevacizumab with doxorubicin due to additive cardiotoxicity.
  • Avoid anthracycline-based therapy for up to 28 weeks after stopping trastuzumab.
  • Avoid use of cyclosporine with doxorubicin if possible, as it may increase doxorubicin concentrations.
  • Avoid using stavudine or zidovudine with doxorubicin.
  • Monitor serum digoxin levels and adjust dose as needed.
  • Monitor serum phenytoin levels and adjust dose as needed.
  • Monitor for pulmonary toxicity when bleomycin is used with nephrotoxic drugs (may reduce bleomycin clearance) or with other drugs that may cause pulmonary toxicity (e.g. BCNU, mitomycin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, gemcitabine).
  • Avoid concomitant use of vinblastine with CYP3A4 inhibitors.
  • Avoid concomitant use of vinblastine with CYP3A4 substrates if possible. Monitor closely or consider dose adjustment if they must be used together.
  • Use vinblastine with caution in combination with neurotoxic drugs.
 
H - Drug Administration and Special Precautions

Refer to DOXOrubicin, bleomycin, vinBLAStine, dacarbazine drug monograph(s) for additional details.


Administration

DOXOrubicin

  • Slow push through sidearm of free flowing IV (5% Dextrose, Normal Saline). Depending on the dose volume and vein condition, administer the dose between 3 to 10 minutes to minimize thrombosis risk or extravasation.
  • Do not admix with other drugs unless data are available; precipitates with fluorouracil and heparin.
  • Avoid contact with alkaline solutions as this can lead to hydrolysis of doxorubicin.
  • Slow down injection rate if erythematous streaking or facial flushing occurs.
  • If any signs or symptoms of extravasation occur, the injection or infusion should be immediately terminated and restarted in another vein. Any known or suspected extravasation should be managed promptly as per local guidelines.
  • Store vials under refrigeration (2 to 8ºC) and protect from light.

Also refer to the CCO guideline for detailed description of Management of Cancer Medication-Related Infusion Reactions.
 

bleomycin

  • Reconstitute with 5-10mL Normal Saline.
  • May be given by direct IV push over 10 minutes, followed by a Saline flush, if no IV line has been set up.
  • Or may further dilute in 50-100mL Normal Saline (0.3 to 3 units/mL) and infuse over 10-15 minutes. 
  • Store unopened vial between 2-8⁰C. Do not freeze.

Also refer to the CCO guideline for detailed description of Management of Cancer Medication-Related Infusion Reactions.


vinBLAStine

FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY.
Intrathecal administration of other vinca alkaloids has resulted in death. Containers with this product should be labelled:
WARNING – FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY.  FATAL if given intrathecally.

  • Direct IV push is not recommended to reduce the risk of inadvertently administering vinca alkaloids via intrathecal route.
  • Mix in 50 mL minibag (NS or D5W).
  • Dilutions in large volumes (≥ 100mL) and infusions over ≥30-60 minutes are not recommended, since these can increase the risk of vein irritation and extravasation.
  • If any signs or symptoms of extravasation occur, the injection or infusion should be immediately terminated and restarted in another vein. Any known or suspected extravasation should be managed promptly according to local guidelines.
  • Store unopened vials at 2 to 8ºC; protect from light.

 

dacarbazine

  • Administration of concentrated dacarbazine solutions may cause severe perivenous pain; therefore, it is recommended to give dacarbazine as a diluted IV infusion.
  • Extreme care should be taken to avoid extravasation as this may result in tissue damage and severe pain.
  • May be mixed in normal saline or D5W bag (250 to 1000 mL), depending on the dose.  
  • Infuse over 30 to 120 minutes; refer to the institutional guidelines for infusion duration.
  • Keep dacarbazine vials refrigerated (2 to 8ºC); protect the undiluted drug, infusion bags and tubing from light.
     

Contraindications

  • Patients who have a hypersensitivity to the drugs or any of their components, other anthracyclines or anthracenediones (i.e. epirubicin, daunorubicin, mitoxantrone or mitomycin C)
  • Severe or persistent myelosuppression or infection
  • Severe hepatic impairment
  • Severe myocardial insufficiency, arrhythmias or history of cardiac disease or recent myocardial infarction
  • Previous treatment with maximum cumulative doses of doxorubicin, other anthracyclines or anthracenediones
  • Intrathecal vinblastine administration is absolutely contraindicated.
     

Warnings/Precautions

  • Bleomycin should be used with extreme caution in patients with pre-existing renal or pulmonary disease, and in patients over the age of 70. Patients should avoid high FIO2 for at least a year after completion (i.e. during anesthesia).
  • Use vinblastine with caution in patients with ischemic heart disease.
  • Avoid the use of live vaccines during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose; use may result in serious infections in immunocompromised patients. Response to inactivated vaccines may be decreased.
     

Pregnancy/Lactation

  • This regimen is contraindicated in pregnancy. Adequate contraception should be used by patients and their partners while on treatment and after the last treatment dose. Recommended methods and duration of contraception may differ depending on the treatment. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for more information.
  • Breastfeeding is not recommended during this treatment and after the last treatment dose. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for recommendations after the last treatment dose (if available).
  • Fertility: may cause irreversible infertility
 
I - Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.

Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline for monitoring during and after treatment.

Recommended Clinical Monitoring

  • CBC; baseline and before each treatment
  • Liver and renal function tests (including electrolytes); baseline and before each cycle
  • Urinalysis; baseline and as clinically indicated
  • Cardiac function tests (Echo, RNA and/or MUGA scans) for all patients with cardiac risk factors (including prior cardiotoxic drugs or patients at or above threshold dose levels); baseline and as clinically indicated
  • Chest x-ray or CT scan; baseline and as clinically indicated
  • Routine pulmonary function tests; as clinically indicated
  • Clinical toxicity assessment (including infection, bleeding, hypersensitivity, injection site reactions, GI, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, dermatological or pulmonary toxicity)
  • Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version


back to top
 
J - Administrative Information

Approximate Patient Visit
1.5 to 2 hours
Pharmacy Workload (average time per visit)
41.773 minutes
Nursing Workload (average time per visit)
62.417 minutes
 
K - References

Bleomycin, daarbazine, doxorubicin and vinblastine Drug Monographs, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).

Bonadonna G, Valagussa P, Santoro A. Alternating non-cross-resistant combination chemotherapy or MOPP in stage IV Hodgkin’s disease: a report of 8 year results. Ann Intern Med, 1986; 104: 739-746

Canellos GP, Anderson JR, Propert KJ, et al, Chemotherapy of advanced Hodgkin’s disease with MOPP, ABVD, or MOPP alternating with ABVD. N Engl J Med, 1992; 327: 1478-1484.

 

November 2023 Modified Drug Administration and Pregnancy/breastfeeding sections


back to top
 
M - Disclaimer

Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph.  Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.