Dr. Nowakowski on the Potential Role of Immunotherapy in MCL

Video

In Partnership With:

Grzegorz S. Nowakowski, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic, discusses what potential immunotherapy agents have in the treatment landscape of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Grzegorz S. Nowakowski, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic, discusses what potential immunotherapy agents have in the treatment landscape of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

The activity of single-agent PD-1 inhibitors in MCL has not been as significant as has been seen in Hodgkin lymphoma, Nowakowski explains. Therefore, it would be interesting to explore combinations of immunotherapy agents with other systemic therapies. For example, lenalidomide (Revlimid) is an immunomodulatory agent that stimulates the immune system, so a combination of PD-1 blockade plus lenalidomide could be an interesting approach in MCL. These studies are currently ongoing.

PD-1 inhibitors with cytotoxic therapy would also be an intriguing option, because chemotherapy traditionally tends to introduce additional mutations within tumor cells. Additional mutations can create new epitopes or antigens, which can then be recognized by the immune system, he says.

Related Videos
Ricardo D. Parrondo, MD, hematologist/oncologist, Mayo Clinic
Ilyas Sahin, MD
Raj Singh, MD
Jaime R. Merchán, MD, professor, co-leader, Translational and Clinical Oncology Research Program, director, Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Saad J. Kenderian, MB, CHB
Tycel Phillips, MD
Minesh Mehta, MD
Shivaani Kummar, MBBS, FACP, Margaret and Lester DeArmond Endowed Chair of Cancer Research, Professor and Division Head, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine; co-director, Center for Experimental Therapeutics, co-deputy director, Knight Cancer Institute
Andre Goy, MD
Wenxin (Vincent) Xu, MD,