Has PD-1 blockade changed the standard of care for cHL?

The treatment paradigm for classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) continues to evolve, particularly in light of the incorporation of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors into a variety of therapeutic settings. PD-1 inhibitors have demonstrated high efficacy and a favorable toxicity profile when added to a doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine chemotherapy backbone in patients with untreated CHL. PD-1 inhibitors are also effective treatment options in the relapsed/refractory setting.

Managing common toxicities associated with checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy combinations for untreated classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Combination checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) and chemotherapy is an effective and safe treatment strategy for patients with untreated classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Recent studies of programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors combined with doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine have demonstrated high overall and complete response rates. This combination has a unique toxicity profile that should be managed appropriately so as not to compromise treatment efficacy.

Depression in patients with hematologic malignancies: The current landscape and future directions.

Patients with hematologic malignancies experience high rates of depression. These patients are vulnerable to depression throughout the disease trajectory, from diagnosis to survivorship, and at the end of life. In addition to the distressing nature of depression, it has substantial downstream effects including poor quality of life, increased risk of treatment complications, and worse survival.

Mortality among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and mental disorders: a population-based study.

Background: Mental disorders have been reported in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but studies examining their association with mortality are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study using linked administrative health-care databases from Ontario, Canada. All patients with DLBCL 18 years of age or older treated with rituximab-based therapy between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2017, were identified and followed until March 1, 2020.

Mental health disorders and survival among older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the USA: a population-based study.

Background: Mental health disorders can potentially decrease quality of life and survival in patients with cancer. Little is known about the survival implications of mental health disorders in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-existing depression, anxiety, or both on survival in a US cohort of older patients with DLBCL.