Nivolumab for the treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab

Abstract

SummaryCancer cells are able to escape surveillance from the immune system by co-opting physiologic mechanisms such as the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor pathway. Agents able to block the interaction between the PD-1 receptor and its ligands have the potential to release T-cells from tumor-induced suppression and eradicate malignant cells. Nivolumab – a PD-1 inhibitor – is approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma and lung cancer. This agent has been tested in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma and showed impressive results in a phase I trial. Here we review the profile of Nivolumab including its pharmacological properties, clinical efficacy and safety in patients with advanced classical Hodgkin lymphoma.