JAK inhibition enhances checkpoint blockade immunotherapy in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma

Unleashing antitumor T cell activity by checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy is effective in cancer patients, but clinical responses are limited. Cytokine signaling through the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway correlates with checkpoint immunotherapy resistance. We report a phase I clinical trial of the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib with anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab in Hodgkin lymphoma patients relapsed or refractory following checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. The combination yielded a best overall response rate of 53% (10/19). Ruxolitinib significantly reduced neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and percentages of myeloid suppressor cells but increased numbers of…

• CR
  Cancer Research Institute

  Award: CRI2904
• BS
  Bristol-Myers Squibb
• UO
  University of Minnesota
• I
  Incyte
• UO
  University of California, San Diego