Immune Checkpoint Blockade for the Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is biologically different than other lymphomas. The cancer cells only occupy a small amount of the lymph node and evade the immune system by amplification of PD-L1 and PD-L2. Therefore, checkpoint inhibitors are a logical treatment option for Hodgkin lymphoma patients to unlock the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors have shown high response rates in clinical trials in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. The two most commonly used checkpoint inhibitors are pembrolizumab and nivolumab, both FDA approved as third-line therapy. There is increasing interest in the use of checkpoint inhibitors with combination chemotherapy or with other targeted agents in the second-line or even frontline setting. In this review, we will highlight the clinical trials that led to approvals of checkpoint inhibitors for Hodgkin lymphoma.