Immune Checkpoint Blockade for the Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is biologically different than other lymphomas. The cancer cells only occupy a small amount of the lymph node and evade the immune system by amplification of PD-L1 and PD-L2. Therefore, checkpoint inhibitors are a logical treatment option for Hodgkin lymphoma patients to unlock the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors have shown high response rates in clinical trials in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. The two most commonly used checkpoint inhibitors are pembrolizumab and nivolumab, both FDA approved as third-line therapy. There is increasing interest in the use of checkpoint inhibitors with combination chemotherapy or with other targeted agents in the second-line or even frontline setting. In this review, we will highlight the clinical trials that led to approvals of checkpoint inhibitors for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Automated summary

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma differs biologically from other lymphomas, with cancer cells occupying only a small portion of the lymph node and evading the immune system through amplification of PD-L1 and PD-L2. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have shown high response rates in clinical trials and are approved by the FDA as third-line therapy. There is a growing interest in combining checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy or targeted agents in earlier stages of treatment. This review highlights the clinical trials that led to the approval of checkpoint inhibitors for Hodgkin lymphoma.