PD-1 Blockade in Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract

Blockade of signaling via programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptors on activated intratumoral T-cells has proven to be a highly effective therapeutic strategy in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). In a clinical review, in this issue of the journal, Drs Al-Hadidi and Lee1 discuss the efficacy of the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab in patients with relapsed or refractory cHL who are ineligible for treatment with an autologous stem-cell transplant.1 They specifically highlight the efficacy of this ap- proach and give guidance on how to use these agents optimally to improve disease control while limiting side effects. As discussed in their review, PD-1 block- ade has made a major impact on the management of patients with relapsed cHL and is now the standard of care in this patient population.