PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor Monotherapy Demonstrates Accceptable Safety, Limited Efficacy for R/R DLBCL
Among patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors demonstrated consistent safety profiles but limited therapeutic efficacy as a monotherapy; however, the treatment demonstrated possible improved outcomes when combined with CAR T-cell therapy, according to study results published in Open Life Sciences.
While PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy for DLBCL in previous studies, comprehensive efficacy and safety profiles remain unknown. To address this need, researchers conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
Overall, 17 studies were included in the final analysis. The overall response rate (ORR) was determined to have an estimated effect of (odds ratio [OR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 0.51; P = .08), and the estimated effect of complete response rate was (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.31; P < .001).
The estimated 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) had an estimated effect of (OR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.47; P = .01), and the estimated effect of 1-year overall survival (OS) was (OR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.77; P = 0.05). In terms of safety, adverse events grade 1 to 3 had an estimated effect of (OR=.81; 95% CI, .70 to .89; P < .001), while grade 3 adverse events had an estimated effect of (OR=.33; 95% CI, .22 to .46; P = .01).
Among a subgroup of patients treated with additional CAR T-cell therapy, had a higher estimated effect (OR= .61; 95% CI, .43 to .77) compared to patients who received other combination therapies (OR= .34; 95% CI, .22 o .47; P = .02).
The researchers concluded, “the meta-analysis of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of R/R DLBCL indicates limited therapeutic efficacy while demonstrating consistent safety profiles.”
They added, “Furthermore, the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with CAR-T cell therapy for R/R DLBCL yields satisfactory treatment outcomes.”
Source:
Zhang J, Xu L, Sun C, Huang Z, Ma J, Wang L. Efficacy and safety of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in patients with relapsed refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A meta-analysis. Open Life Sciences. Published online August 5, 2025. doi:10.1515/biol-2025-1129
