Pembrolizumab for classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Lymphoma Action welcomes the news that NICE/NHS England have recommended pembrolizumab for use within the Cancer Drugs Fund as an option for treating relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma in adults who have had brentuximab vedotin and cannot have an autologous stem cell transplant.

Although it is not recommended for treating relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma in adults who have had an autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab vedotin, this is covered by the novel agent nivolumab.

Consultant Haematologist Dr Andrew McMillan at Nottingham City Hospital and member of the Lymphoma Action Medical Advisory Panel said: 'This is really important news for some patients who previously weren't able to receive this type of new treatment which is known to work well in Hodgkin lymphoma. For some, it may allow them to make enough progress so that they would be able to receive a transplant that might not have been possible without access to this treatment.'