Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

ABVD q4 weeks

ABVD is a combination chemotherapy regimen that uses four cytotoxic agents to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells through multiple mechanisms including DNA alkylation, topoisomerase inhibition, and microtubule disruption.

ABVD is a combination chemotherapy regimen that uses four cytotoxic agents to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells through multiple mechanisms including DNA alkylation, topoisomerase inhibition, and microtubule disruption. Used for Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

ABVD combines doxorubicin (anthracycline), bleomycin (antibiotic), vinblastine (vinca alkaloid), and dacarbazine (alkylating agent). Each agent targets cancer cells through different mechanisms: doxorubicin intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II; bleomycin causes DNA strand breaks; vinblastine disrupts microtubule formation; and dacarbazine alkylates DNA. The combination provides synergistic cytotoxic effects across multiple pathways.

Approved indications

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Common side effects

• Myelosuppression (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Alopecia
• Mucositis
• Cardiotoxicity (doxorubicin-related)
• Pulmonary toxicity (bleomycin-related)
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Infection

Key clinical trials

• Fludeoxyglucose F 18 PET Scan-Guided Therapy or Standard Therapy in Treating Patients With Previously Untreated Stage I or Stage II Hodgkin's Lymphoma (PHASE3)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• ABVD q4 weeks CI brief — competitive landscape report
• ABVD q4 weeks updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - EORTC portfolio CI