TY - JOUR T1 - Nivolumab as salvage treatment in a patient with HIV-related relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and liver failure with encephalopathy JF - Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer JO - J Immunother Cancer DO - 10.1186/s40425-017-0252-3 VL - 5 IS - 1 SP - 49 AU - Jose D. Sandoval-Sus AU - Francis Mogollon-Duffo AU - Ankita Patel AU - Nathan Visweshwar AU - Damian A. Laber AU - Richard Kim AU - Michael V. Jagal Y1 - 2017/12/01 UR - http://jitc.bmj.com/content/5/1/49.abstract N2 - Background We report the first case to our knowledge of a patient with relapsed/refractory classical hodgkin lymphoma and liver failure with encephalopathy along with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome infection, successfully treated with nivolumab without major side effects and encouraging prolonged disease control.Case presentation In December 2015, at the time of the patient’s progression from his Hodgkin lymphoma after fourth line treatment, he developed persistent fevers, abdominal distension, jaundice and worsening of his liver function tests. Magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen/pelvis demonstrated hepatomegaly with innumerable new liver lesions, splenomegaly with multiple splenic nodules and several new mediastinal, intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. In accordance with the patient’s wishes before admission, and after agreement with the family, nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks) was given. Of note, antiretroviral therapy was on hold due to liver function tests, his viral load was undectable and cluster of differentiation 4 counts were 103/uL at the time of nivolumab administration. One week after the first dose of nivolumab both his hepatic encephalopathy and constitutional symptoms started to improve, and after 2 doses, (January 2016) his LFTs were almost back to normal. After 5 months of nivolumab treatment (10 doses), restaging (computerized tomography scans of neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis) done on May 2016 showed resolution of hepatosplenomegaly with two residual small hepatic lesions, heterogeneous spleen with no splenic lesions, and stable non-enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes without intraabdominal lymphadenopathy; consistent with partial response.Conclusions We report a case of a patient with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome -related relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma and acute liver failure with encephalopathy successfully treated with nivolumab after failing all standard therapeutic options. Unlike classic cytotoxic chemotherapy, which relies on preserved organ function to ameliorate potential severe side effects (i.e. myelosuppression), elimination of monoclonal antibodies is fairly independent of baseline renal and hepatic function since they are usually metabolized by circulating phagocytes and/or by their target antigen-expressing cell.Abbreviations:AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndromeALTAlanine transaminaseAPAlkaline phosphataseARTAntiretroviral therapyASCTAutologous stem cell transplantationASTAspartate aminotransferaseBMBxBone marrow aspirate and biopsyBVBrentuximab-vedotinCDCluster of differentiationcHLClassical Hodgkin lymphomaDA-EPOCH-RDose adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximabEBERIn-situ hybridization for EBVEBVEpstein-Barr virusECOGEastern cooperative oncology groupHCVHepatitis C VirusHIVHuman immunodeficiency virusICEIfosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposideirAEsImmune related adverse eventsLADLymphadenopathyLFTsLiver function testsmABMonoclonal antibodiesMRIMagnetic resonance imagingNRNormal rangeNTAPComputerized tomography of the neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvisORROverall response ratesPDprogressive diseasePD-1Program cell death-1PRPartial responseR/RRelapsed/refractoryRSReed-StenbergTBTotal bilirubinULNUpper limit of normal ER -