Abstract
This phase III trial compares the effects of nivolumab with chemo-immunotherapy versus
chemo-immunotherapy alone in treating patients with newly diagnosed primary mediastinal
B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may
help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of cancer
cells to grow and spread. Treatment for PMBCL involves chemotherapy combined with an
immunotherapy called rituximab. Chemotherapy drugs work in different ways to stop the growth
of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping
them from spreading. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to a protein called CD20,
which is found on B cells (a type of white blood cell) and some types of cancer cells. This
may help the immune system kill cancer cells. Giving nivolumab with chemo-immunotherapy may
help treat patients with PMBCL.
