Immunotherapy with drugs.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy for lymphomas is being supplemented or replaced by immunotherapies.
• Immunomodulatory treatments aim to activate the body's systemic immunity against tumors.

Observation:

• Numerous immunotherapeutic approaches have been developed, including monoclonal antibodies (mABs), antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, checkpoint inhibitors, small molecule inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, and vaccines.
• These immunotherapies, used alone or in combination, demonstrate significant efficacy and tolerability.

Findings:

• Immunotherapies are now integral to treating both Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) across all disease stages, from initial treatment to relapsed/refractory settings.
• Monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR T-cell therapies are key components of modern lymphoma treatment regimens.

Implications:

• Further research is needed to understand immunomodulation's side effects and optimize combination strategies with targeted therapies and chemotherapy.
• Identifying predictive biomarkers is crucial for refining immunotherapy selection and improving patient outcomes.
• Immunotherapy offers a growing array of treatment options and represents a significant stride toward curative strategies for HL and NHL.