PD-1 blockade induces remissions in relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Godfrey, James; Bishop, Michael; Syed, Sahr; Hyjek, Elizabeth; Kline, Justin
• Is Part Of: Journal for immunotherapy of cancer. Volume 5:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Checkpoint blockade -- PD-1 -- Hodgkin lymphoma -- Allogeneic transplant; Cancer -- Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.99406105
• DOI: 10.1186/s40425-017-0211-z
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-1426

Abstract

Abstract Background Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and checkpoint blockade therapy are immune-based therapies that have activity in selected refractory hematologic malignancies. Interest has developed in combining these treatments for high-risk hematologic diseases. However, there is concern that checkpoint blockade could augment graft-versus-host disease, and very few studies have evaluated the safety of checkpoint blockade in the post-allogeneic setting. Here, we report the outcomes of three patients with relapsed classical Hodgkin's lymphoma following allogeneic transplant that were treated with the anti-PD-1 antibody, nivolumab. Case presentations Three patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma relapsed following allogeneic transplant received nivolumab therapy at our institution. All patients were free of graft-versus-host disease and were off of all systemic immunosuppressive medications at the time of nivolumab treatment. Nivolumab was well-tolerated in two of the patients. However, nivolumab had to be discontinued in one patient due to development of immune-related polyarthritis requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate. Objective responses were observed in all three patients. Conclusions Our case series demonstrates that anti-PD-1 therapy with nivolumab can be highly effective following allogeneic transplant for Hodgkin's lymphoma, but serious immune-related adverse events can occur, requiring very close monitoring and interruption of therapy.