Checkpoint Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma’s (HL) tumor composition is characterized by a paucity of malignant cells and a preponderance of immune and stromal cells. Despite the rich immune milieu within the tumor microenvironment, malignant cells are able to effectively evade the immune system and use immune support to promote lymphoma cell growth and proliferation. Recognizing this has led to the identification of checkpoint inhibitory signals that enable immune evasion and to opening the door to therapeutic strategies on how to exploit the immune system in targeting tumor cells. We discuss herein some of the tumor evasion mechanisms in HL with a particular focus on the immune checkpoint pathways and focus on recent clinical data of checkpoint blockade in HL treatment.