Pembrolizumab is a medicinal product that is being investigated as treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Hodgkin lymphoma is a type
of cancer of the lymphatic system and it is the most common type. The condition is called relapsed or refractory when it recurs after a period of improvement or when it does not
respond to treatment. The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a swelling in the neck, armpit or groin.
Pembrolizumab, given by intravenous infusion, acts by binding to a protein called antiprogrammed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) that is found on the cancer cells or immune cells trying
to attack cancer cells. Binding to this protein can lead to the activation of the body’s immune system to fight tumour cells. In cHL, pembrolizumab has promising results. If licensed it will
provide a treatment option for cHL patients who have failed ASCT or are not eligible for it.