title: Pidilizumab in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint pathway is an emerging target in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Pidilizumab is an mAb that binds to PD-1 and is a safe and well-tolerated therapy. Recent data have shown clinical activity utilizing this strategy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
  
  
  METHODS
  The role of PD-1 expression in hematologic malignancies is explored. Recent clinical trials including the results of a Phase I trial in hematologic malignancies and a Phase II trial of pidilizumab following autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (AHSCT) are reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We review data that suggest that PD-1 is a promising target in the treatment and management of DLBCL. Changes in immune subsets following administration of pidilizumab are felt to represent on-target responses. The improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) following AHSCT supports a response to therapy. Importantly, the improvement in PFS for patients with positive FDG-PET/CT following AHSCT indicating residual disease further supports direct activity of pidilizumab in DLBCL.
authors: Northwestern University, Division of Hematology/Oncology , 676 N St Clair Ste 850, Chicago, IL 60611 , USA l-gordon@northwestern.edu.
authors: Locke J
authors: LJ
authors: Bryan
authors: Leo I
authors: LI
authors: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C105992:PDCD1 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; C585832:pidilizumab
keywords: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; monoclonal antibody; non-Hodgkin lymphoma; pidilizumab; programmed death-1