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Journal of Hematology & Oncology
Published in: Journal of Hematology & Oncology 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Rapid communication

Activity of pembrolizumab in relapsed/refractory NK/T-cell lymphoma

Authors: Xin Li, Yasong Cheng, Mingzhi Zhang, Jiaqin Yan, Ling Li, Xiaorui Fu, Xudong Zhang, Yu Chang, Zhenchang Sun, Hui Yu, Lei Zhang, Xinhua Wang, Jingjing Wu, Zhaoming Li, Feifei Nan, Li Tian, Wencai Li, Ken H. Young

Published in: Journal of Hematology & Oncology | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is associated with a poor outcome. Currently, the treatment needs of NKTCL remain unmet, and efforts to further improve treatment are urgently needed. Herein, seven patients with NKTCL who failed to respond to various types of chemotherapies were treated with the anti-programmed death 1 (anti-PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab at 100 mg every 3 weeks. After a median of four cycles of treatment (range 2–18), four out of seven patients responded (two complete response, two partial response, overall response rate 57%). Expression of PD1-ligand available was 50, 20, 30, 70, and 30% of five patients respectively. It is negative in one patient and not tested in one patient. Adverse events, which mostly ranged from grade I to grade III, were tolerable and could be safely handled, although immune-related pneumonitis was notable. Overall, PD-1 blockade with pembrolizumab represents a favorable strategy for the treatment of refractory/relapsed NKTCL.
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Metadata
Title
Activity of pembrolizumab in relapsed/refractory NK/T-cell lymphoma
Authors
Xin Li
Yasong Cheng
Mingzhi Zhang
Jiaqin Yan
Ling Li
Xiaorui Fu
Xudong Zhang
Yu Chang
Zhenchang Sun
Hui Yu
Lei Zhang
Xinhua Wang
Jingjing Wu
Zhaoming Li
Feifei Nan
Li Tian
Wencai Li
Ken H. Young
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Hematology & Oncology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1756-8722
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-018-0559-7

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