The RATiFY trial is a research study designed for older adults who have just been diagnosed with classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Many people over the age of 60 find standard chemotherapy very difficult because it can cause strong side effects. This study is looking for a safer and more effective way to treat lymphoma in this age group.
RATiFY uses an immunotherapy drug called tislelizumab. Immunotherapy works by helping your own immune system find and attack cancer cells.
How the treatment works- Treatment starts with three cycles of tislelizumab alone, given every three weeks.
- After these first treatments, you will have a PET scan to see how well the lymphoma has responded.
What happens next depends on the scan results:
If your scan shows a very good response and your lymphoma is at an early stage:- You will have two more cycles of tislelizumab,
- Then targeted radiotherapy,
- Followed by maintenance immunotherapy for up to two years.
This aims to keep the cancer under control for as long as possible.
- You will receive tislelizumab together with a gentler form of chemotherapy called AVD.
- Some patients may also need added radiotherapy.
This approach is flexible and adapts the treatment to how each person’s lymphoma responds. The goal is to use the right amount of treatment—not too harsh, but still effective.
By reducing dependence on strong chemotherapy and making more use of immunotherapy, the RATiFY trial hopes to improve both survival and quality of life for older adults with Hodgkin lymphoma. If successful, it could lead to a safer and more personalised standard of care for this group of patients.