Has PD-1 blockade changed the standard of care for cHL?

The treatment paradigm for classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) continues to evolve, particularly in light of the incorporation of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors into a variety of therapeutic settings. PD-1 inhibitors have demonstrated high efficacy and a favorable toxicity profile when added to a doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine chemotherapy backbone in patients with untreated CHL. PD-1 inhibitors are also effective treatment options in the relapsed/refractory setting. For patients who are pursuing autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), pembrolizumab plus gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and liposomal doxorubicin has shown marked efficacy and is an effective treatment regimen to administer prior to transplant. For patients who either are not eligible for ASCT or have relapsed after ASCT, pembrolizumab or nivolumab monotherapy have been well studied and demonstrate high efficacy even when patients have been exposed to numerous lines of prior therapy. As data from previous trials continue to mature and new clinical trials are conducted, PD-1 inhibitors will continue to become an integral component for successful management of CHL.