ABVD is the acronym that stands for adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine respectively. Adriamycin is also referred to as doxorubicin. These are the name of the chemotherapy drugs that are used in the ABVD chemotherapy regimen. This regimen is particularly said to be extraordinarily effective in not just the early stages or in the first-line treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma but it is also quite effective in the other stages of this cancer. ABVD chemotherapy regimen is not particularly known as a toxic regimen and therefore it is found to have comparatively less side effects than other alternate chemotherapy regimens for treating cancer. Before we take a look at the side effects of ABVD regimen, let’s take a quick look at the individual chemotherapy drugs used in this regimen. Also note that besides the side effects of each regimen used in the treatment of cancer, individual drugs also cause side effects. So, some of the common side effects of the individual drugs are also given along with the information on the drugs.

ABVD Chemotherapy Drugs

Adriamycin /Doxorubicin and Common Side Effects of Adriamycin

Adriamycin is the brand name and the chemical name for this drug is doxorubicin. This drug is used to treat different types of cancers such as stomach, breast, bladder, ovaries, thyroid, lung cancer etc. This drug is used in different combinations depending upon the type of cancer to be treated. Some of the common regimens containing adriamycin or doxorubicin are TAC i.e. taxotere, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, FAC i.e. 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide.

Take a look at some of the common side effects of doxorubicin. Please note that all the side effects listed for each of the following drugs in the ABVD chemotherapy regimen also depend on the dosage of it. The side effects given below should only be observed as some of the commonly noticed side effects of the drug and for further clarification one must speak to the doctor.

• Nausea / vomiting
• Neutropenia or low count of white blood cells
• Alopecia or hair loss
• Pain and swelling along with skin eruptions on palms of the hand and / or soles of the feet

Bleomycin and Common Side Effects of Bleomycin

Bleomycin is majorly used as a component of ABVD chemotherapy regimen however it is also used in the chemotherapy treatments of testicular cancer, squamous cell carcinoma also. The way this drug works is that it causes breaks in the DNA thus helping in the process of cancer treatment. Some of the common side effects of bleomycin are as follows:

• Pulmonary fibrosis or excessive formation of fibrous tissues in the lungs that could impair the functioning of lungs
• Fever
• Hyperpigmentation
• Skin rashes
• Hair loss
• Discoloration of toes and fingers

Vinblastine and Common Side Effects of Vinblastine

Vinblastine is what is called an ‘antimicrotubule drug’ that is used in the treatment of certain type of cancer such as non-small cell lung cancer or NSCLC, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, breast cancer, treatment for testicular cancer and neck cancer. Besides cancer it is also used to treat LCH or Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

• Anemia
• Pain in the bones
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the stomach
• Nausea / vomiting

Dacarbazine and Common Side Effects of Dacarbazine

Dacarbazine is a popular single agent chemotherapy drug used to treat metastatic melanoma. It is also used in chemotherapy regimens designed to treat cancers such as sarcoma, malignant melanoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Some of the common side effects of dacarbazine include:

• Weak immune system
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Could have an adverse effect on the liver

Function of ABVD Chemotherapy Regimen

Each drug used in the ABVD chemotherapy regimen has different functions to perform. Normally the basic function of chemotherapy drugs is to eliminate the cancer cells and prevent them from growing and dividing. In case of ABVD chemotherapy regimen, adriamycin or doxorubicin mismatches the DNA strands and prevents the cancer cells from replicating. Bleomycin also prevents the replication of cancer cells and prevents them from getting divided but the way it works is that it breaks the DNA strands. The division of cancer cells is caused by the microtubule in the cell and vinblastine attacks the microtubule and stops the cancer cells from dividing. Dacarbazine is an alkylating agent that blocks the production of DNA in the cancer cell by binding them together.

Administration of ABVD Chemotherapy Regimen

Before beginning the chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the patient requires to undergo certain tests such as blood tests to check the count of blood cells and to check the functioning of kidney and liver. Heart function is checked with the help of echocardiogram. Medications to prevent vomiting and nausea is also given to the patient prior to chemotherapy. Blood counts are also taken in between the chemotherapy treatment sessions before injecting the next drug. As bleomycin may affect the lungs, before the use of it X-ray is taken to check the lung function. ABVD chemotherapy consists of a 15 days cycle that is repeated after the rest period of 4 weeks. The recommended dosage of the four drugs in the ABVD chemotherapy regimen is given on the first and the fifteenth day of each cycle. Normally, treatment could involve four to six cycles however it depends on many factors such as the stage of lymphoma, the blood counts etc..

Side Effects of ABVD Chemotherapy Regimen

Given below are some of the side effects of ABVD or Hodgkin’s chemotherapy side effects that may be noticed in patients undergoing ABVD chemotherapy.

• Hair loss
• Nausea / vomiting
• Mouth sores
• Numbness in toes and fingers
• Discoloration of nails and skin
• Low blood counts

Although relatively considered to be less toxic, ABVD chemotherapy regimen could also cause certain side effects. For further information and knowledge about the same please contact your doctor and clear all your doubts and queries before undergoing the chemotherapy treatmant.