Hodgkin Lymphoma: Management of Patients Who Fail Primary Therapy.

Management of relapsed/refractory (R/R) classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) has evolved substantially with the integration of novel targeted and immune-based therapies. Agents such as brentuximab vedotin (BV) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have demonstrated high response rates in multiple settings and are increasingly used as therapeutic strategies for frontline, salvage, and multiply relapsed cHL. Consequently, the traditional roles of cytotoxic chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation are being redefined, with greater emphasis on disease biology and individualized risk-benefit assessment. Though data are continuing to evolve, it appears that the use of CPIs and BV can improve outcomes for patients with R/R disease, even as retreatment, and can lead to durable remissions. This review summarizes current management paradigms for R/R cHL and highlights emerging data regarding sequencing, retreatment, and the use of novel agents.