Dr. Sauter on Key Considerations for Posttransplant Pembrolizumab in T-cell NHL

Craig Sauter, MD, director, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, discusses important considerations regarding the use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) after autologous stem cell transplant in T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Despite a phase 2 trial (NCT02362997) meeting its primary end point of improved progression-free survival at 18 months, it was conducted in a limited and specific cohort of 21 subjects, Sauter explains. Based on the limited patient population, this could lower the level of statistical confidence, and caution should accordingly be exercised when extrapolating results.

Additionally, the incidence of immune-related adverse effects (AEs) was aligned with expectations based on previous safety data, Sauter continues. High-dose chemotherapies are associated with transient toxicity periods and can often result in immune-related AEs, such as myeloid neoplasia after treatment desists, Sauter says.

Further investigation of a larger multicenter cohort trial is required to confirm the benefit of posttransplant consolidation therapy in this patient subset, he concludes.