Viv Campbell waits for drug results
Def Leppard guitarist says he’ll discover next month if latest treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma is working

Def Leppard guitarist Viv Campbell says he’ll have to wait until next month to discover if his latest treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been a success.
He’s been battling the disease throughout the recording process of Def Leppard’s self-titled 11th album. And he says he’s hopeful of good news come December.
He tells radio station 100.7 WZXL: “I’m taking this drug called pembrolizumab. I’m part of a phase two clinical trial. I don’t actually know if it’s working yet. I’ll find out in early December.
“My doctors and I are going to sit down and have a look and see if it’s holding the cancer at bay or shrinking the tumours. If it is, I’ll be able to continue this treatment for a couple of years, which will be the best possible outcome. If not, then I’ve got to reconsider my options.
“But I’m hopeful. I started this treatment six months ago, and it’s been fantastic because it meant I was able to continue working as opposed to doing a more traditional treatment which would have meant I would have had to miss the tour.
“And work for me is catharsis. It’s very important to me to be up there on stage doing it, and that’s what keeps me alive.”
The band have also released the first commentary video focusing on the new album, which is out now via a Classic Rock fanpack. View the clip below.
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Scott has spent 36 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 11 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.