Novel Biomarker Approaches in Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma

Cancer J. 2018 Sep/Oct;24(5):206-214. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000334.

Abstract

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is one of the most common lymphomas in the Western world. Advances in the management of cHL have led to high cure rates exceeding 80%. Nevertheless, relapse or refractory disease in a subset of patients and treatment-related toxicity still represents unsolved clinical problems. The introduction of targeted treatments such as PD-1 blockade and the CD30 antibody drug conjugate, brentuximab vedotin, has broadened treatment options in cHL, emphasizing the critical need to identify biomarkers with the goal to provide rationales for treatment selection, increase effective drug utilization, and minimize toxicity. The unique biology of cHL featuring low abundant tumor cells and numerous nonmalignant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment can provide various types of promising biomarkers related to the tumor cells directly, tumor microenvironment cross-talk, and host immune response. Here, we comprehensively review novel biomarkers including circulating tumor DNA and gene expression-based prognostic models that might guide the ideal management of cHL in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Disease Management
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hodgkin Disease / metabolism
  • Hodgkin Disease / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor