Phase 2 study of nivolumab for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The prognosis of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) PTCL is poor, and new treatment strategies are needed. Targeting the profoundly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is a possible approach. A phase 2 study at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) evaluated nivolumab for R/R PTCL. The ORR was 33% (95% CI 12.3-63.7) with two complete responses and two partial responses among twelve patients. The median duration of response was however short at 3.6 months (95% CI 1.9-NE) as were progression-free and overall survival. Hyperprorgression (within one month) was seen in four patients, Grade 3 and higher adverse events were non-hematologic in 42% and hematologic in 25% of patients. The authors conclude that nivolumab had modest clinical activity in R/R PTCL. Given the short DOR and high frequency of HPD the study was terminated.