Novel immunotherapy approaches to follicular lymphoma

Abstract

Follicular lymphoma (FL) remains a lymphoma subtype that is remarkably sensitive to immunotherapy-based treatment strategies. Anti-CD20 antibody therapy administered as a single agent and in combination as a first-line treatment and at relapse continues to be the most broadly used therapy for this disease. Autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation provide meaningful durable remissions for patients with FL. However, identifying the most suitable patients and the optimal timing for these approaches has become increasingly challenging with the advent of novel therapies. Lenalidomide and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors are emerging as agents that can be applied in the relapsed setting. Other immunotherapy approaches, including checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cells, appear promising but remain experimental. Utilization of all forms of immunotherapy requires careful consideration of the unique toxicities associated with these agents and the means to mitigate them by selection of appropriate patients, optimal timing, and the use of supportive care.