Cancer Treatment Today

Opdivo is not indicated and not well studies in large cell for DLBLCL. It is FDA indicated for Hodgkin’s, but not non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A recent trial looked at its effectiveness for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This recently early-phase clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of nivolumab in lymphoma included 81 patients with differing types of B- and T-cell lymphomas. Patients had received between one and 12 prior treatment regimens.

• Anti-cancer responses were achieved in approximately 40% of patients with follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Among patients with mycoides fungoides, anti-cancer responses were achieved in 15% of patients.
• Side effects occurred in 51% of all patients, the majority of which were reported as mild.
• The duration of anti-cancer responses achieved with nivolumab ranged from 1.6 weeks to greater than 81.6 weeks.

The researchers concluded that nivolumab may provide significant anti-cancer activity for extended periods of time among patients with lymphomas that have continued to progress despite prior therapies. Further clinical trials evaluating nivolumab in lymphomas will help determine exactly which patients might derive greatest benefit from its use. Thus, it remains investigational at this time. 

Lesokhin A, Ansell S, Armand P, et al. Nivolumab in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancy: preliminary results of a phase Ib study. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2016; 34 (23): 2698-2704