PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta- and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a relatively rare lymphoid malignancy that significantly affects the health of adolescents, young adults and the elderly. Even though conventional chemotherapy offers high cure rates, the relapsed/refractory HL remains challenging. METHODS: Pooled single-arm and network meta-analyses were used. Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials, et al., from the date of establishment dates to August 31, 2025. Studies were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary outcome analyzed was complete response rate (CRR), partial response rate (PRR), and objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS: 11 single-arm trials and five controlled trials, involving 1602 participants and seven ICI-based treatment strategies were included. The meta-analysis revealed an overall CRR of 0.35, a PRR of 0.37, and an ORR of 0.75 across all therapy methods. Of these, one ICI drug in combination with conventional therapy demonstrated the highest CRR and ORR, while camrelizumab achieved the highest PRR. The treatment strategies with the highest CRR in network meta-analysis was the combination of two ICI drugs. The strategies with the highest PRR were camrelizumab, a single ICI drug, while the strategies with the highest ORR was a single ICI drug combined with conventional therapy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that camrelizumab is associated with an improved PRR for HL, whereas, combination strategy of two ICI drugs, and that one of pembrolizumab and camrelizumab combined with conventional chemoradiotherapy are more effective for elevating the CRR and ORR respectively.