Gillessen S, Hüttmann A, Vucinic V, et al. - For patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (r/r cHL), addition of everolimus (oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor) to DHAP (dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine and cisplatinum) is a feasible strategy; however, no improved efficacy was conferred by the everDHAP regimen (everolimus added to DHAP).

• In this experimental phase I/II trial including transplant-eligible patients aged 18–60 years with histologically confirmed r/r cHL, the goal was to improve the standard DHAP reinduction regimen by addition of everolimus (everDHAP) since response to reinduction is predictive of the outcome after high-dose chemotherapy + autologous stem cell transplant.

• Participants received everolimus (10 mg/day, determined in phase-I-part) on day 0–13 of each DHAP cycle.

• Post-two cycles of everDHAP, the computed tomography (CT)-based complete remission (CR) rate was 27% (n = 12/45); the trial did not meet the primary endpoint (CT-based CR ≥40%).