ASH 2021 | PD-1 blockade in Hodgkin lymphoma: moving up the ranks
Enhanced PD-1 signaling observed in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) led to the evaluation of PD-1 blockade as a new treatment option. Patients with cHL and PMBL have since shown some of the highest response rate to this approach, enabling substantial progress over the last decade. Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MI, talks on how the use of PD-1 blockade has developed over time, making its way from relapsed/refractory settings to frontline treatment. Studies have shown the addition of PD-1 blockade to standard treatments to improve outcomes in every circumstance and thus, these approaches are now being investigated in randomized clinical trials for frontline treatment and at first relapse. This interview took place at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition congress in Atlanta, GA.
Transcript (edited for clarity)
Well, I think over the last probably five to eight years, there’s been huge progress made in treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma patients. And specifically with the use of PD-1 blockade, which initially was shown to be highly effective, but in relapsed/refractory patients. And more recent years, we’ve looked at seeing about how that could be combined with other more standard treatments, either as for salvage treatment or alternatively now in frontline therapy...
Well, I think over the last probably five to eight years, there’s been huge progress made in treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma patients. And specifically with the use of PD-1 blockade, which initially was shown to be highly effective, but in relapsed/refractory patients. And more recent years, we’ve looked at seeing about how that could be combined with other more standard treatments, either as for salvage treatment or alternatively now in frontline therapy. And the answer has really been that in every circumstance, the addition of PD-1 Blockade really seems to make a substantial difference for patient’s outcome. We’ve actually seen data recently published, and then some data at this ASH meeting, looking at the use of PD-1 blockade with pembrolizumab in combination with ICE chemotherapy or with GDD chemotherapy as a first relapse, and that’s been highly effective.
And then similarly now, some data again, presented at this ASH meeting, but some that had been presented before using PD-1 blockade in combination with chemotherapy in frontline and showing again that it’s highly successful and very effective therapy for patients overall. So this is all now being tested in randomized controlled trials to show that this is a better strategy than frontline therapy that has been traditionally used. And I think we await those results. But all told it’s been a great story from coming from relapsed/refractory all the way up to frontline treatment.
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