Emerging treatments

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (first-line setting)

Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are monoclonal antibodies that target the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor. Phase 2 trials investigating pembrolizumab or nivolumab in the first-line setting in patients with newly diagnosed classical HL have shown promising results.[142][143][144] Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are already approved for use in patients with refractory or relapsed classical HL. (See Management approach)

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors

HDAC inhibitors are epigenetic modifiers that can induce tumour cell apoptosis by blocking the activity of HDAC enzymes. Several HDAC inhibitors (panobinostat, entinostat, and mocetinostat) have demonstrated activity in patients with relapsed or refractory classical HL.[145][146][147][148]

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy

A phase 1/2 trial investigating CD30-directed CAR T-cell therapy in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive HL reported a high rate of durable responses, particularly when lymphodepleting chemotherapy (e.g., cyclophosphamide and fludarabine) was given prior to CAR T-cell therapy.[149]

Camidanlumab tesirine

A phase 1 trial investigating camidanlumab tesirine (an anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody conjugated to pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer toxin) in heavily pre-treated patients with relapsed or refractory HL reported an overall response rate of 71%.[150]

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