Real-World Multicenter Study of PD-1 Blockade in HIV-Associated Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Across the United States.

BACKGROUND: Despite a higher risk of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in people with HIV and the demonstrated safety and efficacy of PD-1 blockade in cHL, there are limited data on the use of these agents in HIV-associated cHL (HIV-cHL). PATIENTS/METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with HIV-cHL from the "Cancer Therapy using Checkpoint inhibitors in People with HIV-International (CATCH-IT)" database who received nivolumab or pembrolizumab, alone or in combination with other agents, and reviewed records for demographics, disease characteristics, immune-mediated adverse events (imAEs), and treatment outcomes. Changes in CD4+ T-cell counts with treatment were measured via Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Overall response rate (ORR) was defined as the proportion of patients with partial or complete response (PR/CR) per 2014 Lugano classification. RESULTS: We identified 23 patients with HIV-cHL who received a median of 6 cycles of PD-1 blockade: 1 as 1st-line, 6 as 2nd-line, and 16 as ≥3rd-line therapy. Seventeen (74%) patients received monotherapy, 5 (22%) received nivolumab plus brentuximab vedotin, and 1 received nivolumab plus ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide. The median baseline CD4+ T-cell count was 155 cells/µL, which increased to 310 cells/µL at end-of-treatment (P = .009). Three patients had grade 3 imAEs; none required treatment discontinuation. The ORR was 83% with median duration of response of 19.7 months. The median progression-free survival was 21.2 months and did not differ between patients with <200 versus ≥200 CD4+ cells/µL (P = .95). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the use of PD-1 blockade in HIV-cHL for the same indications as the general population with cHL.

Overcoming the hurdles: surmounting acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer type in the United States, with an alarming incidence and mortality rate, especially among individuals younger than 50 years. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), essential for cell proliferation and survival, has surfaced as a promising therapeutic target for metastatic colorectal cancer and has demonstrated success in various clinical trials. Monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab and panitumumab have proven to be effective against EGFR by blocking vital downstream signaling pathways and inhibiting gene transcription and cell proliferation. Despite this promise, most patients eventually develop resistance to anti-EGFR treatment, thereby limiting its long-term efficacy. Genomic alterations, such as mutations in KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF, often bypass the EGFR receptor, promoting resistance to therapy. Although our understanding of primary resistance to anti-EGFR therapy has improved, acquired resistance remains a significant hurdle. This review explores the potential mechanisms underpinning this acquired resistance and strategies to overcome it.