Immune checkpoint inhibitors before high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with relapsed and refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is considered a potentially curable cancer, however, relapsed and refractory disease is observed in approximately 10–30% of patients after the first-line treatment. The choice of further therapy approach is complex because efficacy of traditional second-line chemotherapy regimens is limited. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1-inhibitors) are a highly effective option in relapses and refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma at present. This article presents a comprehensive review of studies demonstrating feasibility and safety of PD-1-inhibitors as a bridge for autologous stem cell transplantation, enabling to achieve a durable response to treatment.