NICE recommends pembrolizumab for Hodgkin lymphoma

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended pembrolizumab for treating relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma for people aged 3 years and over who have had at least 2 previous treatments and cannot have an autologous stem cell transplant. Pembrolizumab is available as a treatment option only if previously treated with brentuximab vedotin. Pembrolizumab treatment is available for two years, but should be stopped sooner if disease progresses or if able to have a stem cell transplant.

Pembrolizumab is a type of targeted drug called a checkpoint inhibitor. Some lymphoma cells are able to hide from your immune system by sticking to a particular protein on T cells. This tells the T cell not to attack. Checkpoint inhibitors block this protein, meaning that your T cells are able to recognise and attack the lymphoma cells.

Find out more about drug development, approval and funding, or visit Lymphoma TrialsLink for the latest on clinical trials for lymphoma.