Immunotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma

Healthcare professionals may use immunotherapy as part of the treatment for someone with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They may also use it as part of palliative therapy to improve a person’s quality of life and reduce their cancer symptoms.

Immunotherapy uses a person’s immune system to fight against cancer. Research into its effectiveness and long-term outcomes is currently ongoing.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are two immune checkpoint inhibitors with approval for some people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma that recurs after other treatments: pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo).

The American Cancer Society (ACS) highlights another type of immunotherapy called monoclonal antibodies. These targeted drugs include brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) and rituximab (Rituxan).

Research is currently investigating the effect of these drugs earlier in cancer treatment and alongside other treatment types.

A 2024 study compared brentuximab vedotin with nivolumab in 970 people ages 12 years and older with stage III or IV classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

All study participants received treatment with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. The researchers then randomly assigned treatment with nivolumab or brentuximab vedotin.

The study concluded that nivolumab treatment improved progression-free survival at a better rate than brentuximab vedotin. After two years, progression-free survival rates were 92% for nivolumab and 83% for brentuximab vedotin.

Healthcare professionals can administer immunotherapy drugs in various forms, including intravenously, which is directly into a vein, or orally. People typically have this drug in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. They do not need to stay overnight.

The frequency of treatment with immunotherapy will depend on the extent of a person’s cancer and the type of immunotherapy they have.

Like any treatment, immunotherapy can cause side effects. According to the ACS, potential side effects of immunotherapy drugs for Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

Side effects may vary from person to person and may differ depending on the drug. People should tell their healthcare team if they experience any side effects.

Anyone with Hodgkin’s lymphoma who wants to learn more about immunotherapy and whether it is suitable for them can speak with their healthcare team. In some cases, a doctor may want to try other treatments first.