Treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma – New and developing therapies and their potential role in standard of care

Abstract

Hodgkin lymphoma is a B-cell lymphoma that currently has a cure rate of ≥85% in patients with early-stage disease, using first-line chemotherapy followed by involved field radiotherapy. However, an unmet need remains in those with advanced and relapsed/ refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. In this review, we provide an overview of new and developing agents and discuss how these may re-shape clinical care strategies for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Overall, the emergence of targeted therapies such as brentuximab vedotin and immunotherapies such as nivolumab or pembrolizumab, provide new and exciting treatment options for patients. It is hoped that these will form single-agent and combination strategies that will re-shape the therapeutic landscape in Hodgkin lymphoma by (i) replacing elements of standard chemotherapy in low-risk patients to reduce toxicity and long-term complications, and (ii) by integrating into standard-of-care therapies for advanced, high-risk or relapsed patients. Currently, brentuximab vedotin provides more robust and mature phase III clinical data in Hodgkin lymphoma, based on which, it appears reasonable to predict that brentuximab vedotin will form part of the first-line therapy for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma.