Advances in CD30- and PD-1-targeted therapies for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma

The current standard approach for relapsed or refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is salvage chemotherapy, followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). However, this therapeutic regimen is successful in only half of patients with relapsed or refractory classical HL. In addition, some patients with R/R HL are ineligible for ASCT. To improve survival time and quality of life and decrease the acute and long-term toxicities of therapy, many schemes for the treatment of R/R HL have emerged. Recently, the use of targeted therapy and immunotherapy represents an important advance in the treatment of R/R HL. The CD30 antibody drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab are effective and well-tolerated treatments for R/R HL patients, broadening treatment options for these patients. BV and anti-PD-1 antibodies can be used as monotherapy or combined with other chemotherapy regimens for rescue treatment, consolidation treatment and second-line treatment of R/R HL. In this article, we review current pathobiology knowledge of R/R HL and summarize recent advances in therapy schemes.