What does AAVD stand for?

A = Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin); A = Adriamycin (doxorubicin); V = vinblastine; D = dacarbazine.

What are the common side effects of AAVD?

Tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet (neuropathy). Low white blood cells and a higher risk of infection. Nausea and vomiting, most on treatment days. Constipation from vinblastine. Feeling very tired. Hair thinning or loss. Mouth sores. Red or pink urine for a day or two after doxorubicin. Bone or back pain after the white blood cell shot.

When should I call my care team during AAVD?

A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills; Numbness, weakness or pain in your hands or feet that makes it hard to button, write or walk; Belly pain that is severe or does not go away (rarely a sign of pancreas swelling); Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat; No bowel movement for 3 days or more, with belly pain or swelling; Pain, redness or swelling where the IV went in; New confusion, trouble walking or changes in vision.

AAVD

Say it: A-A-V-D

Brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine

AAVD is a clinic treatment for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma that swaps bleomycin for brentuximab vedotin, a targeted antibody medicine.

Also called: A+AVD, A-AVD, brentuximab AVD, BV-AVD, Adcetris AVD, ECHELON-1 regimen

What it is

AAVD is like ABVD, but bleomycin (which can harm the lungs) is replaced by brentuximab vedotin. Brentuximab vedotin finds a marker called CD30 on Hodgkin lymphoma cells and delivers chemotherapy right into them. The goal is cure. In a large study, AAVD helped people with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma live longer than ABVD.

A	Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin)
A	Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
V	vinblastine
D	dacarbazine

Often used for

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma, stage 3 or 4
Some stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma with higher risk features

AAVD with growth factor: Most people also get a shot such as pegfilgrastim after each treatment to boost white blood cells. This lowers the chance of fever and infection.
Brentuximab with AVD in children: For children and teens, brentuximab vedotin is often combined with a different chemotherapy mix. Your child's team will explain that plan.

The medicines in this plan

Brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris): An antibody joined to chemotherapy that targets CD30 on lymphoma cells. Given through a vein over about 30 minutes on days 1 and 15.
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin): An anthracycline chemotherapy (a red medicine). Given through a vein on days 1 and 15.
Vinblastine: A plant based chemotherapy that stops cells from dividing. Given through a vein on days 1 and 15.
Dacarbazine: Chemotherapy given through a vein over about 1 hour on days 1 and 15. It can sting the vein and cause nausea.

How you get it

AAVD is given in an outpatient infusion clinic. A treatment day usually takes 4 to 6 hours. You get treatment on days 1 and 15 of a 28 day cycle, usually for 6 cycles (about 6 months). Many people get a port (a small device under the skin) to make IV treatment easier. Your schedule may be different.

A typical cycle

Day 1: Blood tests, then IV brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine in the clinic.
Day 2: A shot to boost white blood cells is often given, or a patch placed on day 1 does this for you.
Days 2 to 14: Rest and recovery. Nausea and tiredness are often worst in the first few days.
Day 15: Blood tests, then the same 4 medicines again, followed by the white blood cell shot.
Days 16 to 28: Rest and recovery before the next cycle. A PET scan is often done after 2 cycles and at the end.

Common side effects and what helps

Tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet (neuropathy). Tell your team early so they can adjust the plan before it gets worse.
Low white blood cells and a higher risk of infection. Wash hands often and avoid people who are sick.
Nausea and vomiting, most on treatment days. Take your nausea medicines as directed.
Constipation from vinblastine. Drink fluids, move your body, and use stool softeners if your team suggests them.
Feeling very tired. Plan rest breaks and gentle activity.
Hair thinning or loss. It grows back after treatment.
Mouth sores. Rinse your mouth often with a mild salt and baking soda rinse.
Red or pink urine for a day or two after doxorubicin. This is the medicine color.
Bone or back pain after the white blood cell shot. Ask your team which pain reliever is okay.

Call your care team right away if you have

A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills
Numbness, weakness or pain in your hands or feet that makes it hard to button, write or walk
Belly pain that is severe or does not go away (rarely a sign of pancreas swelling)
Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat
No bowel movement for 3 days or more, with belly pain or swelling
Pain, redness or swelling where the IV went in
New confusion, trouble walking or changes in vision

Good to know

A heart test (echocardiogram or MUGA scan) is done before starting because doxorubicin can weaken the heart.
Because there is no bleomycin, lung damage is much less of a concern than with ABVD.
Nerve problems are watched closely at every visit, and doses may be changed or held.
A shot or patch to raise white blood cells is usually part of this plan.
You will have blood tests before each treatment and PET scans to check how the lymphoma is responding.
Avoid pregnancy during treatment and for some time after. Ask about fertility protection before starting.

At home

Take your nausea medicines on schedule for the first few days after each treatment.
Keep bowels moving with fluids, fiber and the stool softeners your team suggests.
Check your temperature if you feel unwell, and call right away for a fever.
Protect your hands and feet if they feel numb: wear shoes and check your feet for cuts.
Use a soft toothbrush and rinse your mouth several times a day.

Questions to ask

Why is AAVD a better fit for me than ABVD?
How many cycles will I get?
When will I have a PET scan, and how will it change my plan?
What should I do if my hands or feet start to tingle?
Will I need a port?
How can I protect my fertility?

Lymphoma

Sources

Quick answers

What is AAVD?: AAVD is a clinic treatment for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma that swaps bleomycin for brentuximab vedotin, a targeted antibody medicine. Brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine.
What does AAVD stand for?: A = Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin); A = Adriamycin (doxorubicin); V = vinblastine; D = dacarbazine.
How is AAVD given?: AAVD is given in an outpatient infusion clinic. A treatment day usually takes 4 to 6 hours. You get treatment on days 1 and 15 of a 28 day cycle, usually for 6 cycles (about 6 months). Many people get a port (a small device under the skin) to make IV treatment easier. Your schedule may be different.
What are the common side effects of AAVD?: Tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet (neuropathy). Low white blood cells and a higher risk of infection. Nausea and vomiting, most on treatment days. Constipation from vinblastine. Feeling very tired. Hair thinning or loss. Mouth sores. Red or pink urine for a day or two after doxorubicin. Bone or back pain after the white blood cell shot.
When should I call my care team during AAVD?: A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills; Numbness, weakness or pain in your hands or feet that makes it hard to button, write or walk; Belly pain that is severe or does not go away (rarely a sign of pancreas swelling); Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat; No bowel movement for 3 days or more, with belly pain or swelling; Pain, redness or swelling where the IV went in; New confusion, trouble walking or changes in vision.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.