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.