Nivolumab as a bridge to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with improved survival
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, vol.26, no.3, pp.957-965, 2022 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 26 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2022
- Doi Number: 10.26355/eurrev_202202_28005
- Journal Name: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Page Numbers: pp.957-965
- Keywords: Nivolumab, Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, Hodgkin lymphoma
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of nivolumab bridge to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and toxicity profile. Patients and Methods: The study population consisted of relapsed/refractory cases of HL, who were treated with nivolumab for disease control and subsequently underwent allo- SCT at our institution. The control group consisted of HL patients who relapsed or refractory after multiple lines of therapy and underwent allo-SCT without nivolumab before transplantation as bridging therapy. Results: The incidence of acute and chronic graft vs. host disease (GVHD) was similar in both groups. The 100-day mortality occurred in 1 patient (10%) in the nivolumab group and 4 patients (16.7%) in the control group (p = 0.54). During 30-month follow-up, PFS was achieved in 60% of patients in the nivolumab group and 45.8% in the control group (p = 0.69). OS during 30-month follow-up was 80% in the nivolumab group and 41.7% in the control group, OS was superior in patients in the nivolumab group than in the control group (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Allo-SCT after bridging therapy with nivolumab provides a survival advantage over patients who underwent allo-SCT without the bridging. Therapy with nivolumab in combination with post-transplant cyclophosphamide does not appear to increase GVHD.