Targeted Therapies and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Primary CNS Lymphoma

This review article outlines the current development of emerging treatment strategies for primary central nervous system lymphoma, a rare brain tumor with, thus far, limited therapeutic options. Small molecule targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, and immune checkpoint inhibitors will be discussed. The mechanisms action, results completed clinical studies, ongoing trials, future perspectives are summarized. Among most promising developments in field CNS lymphomas is ibrutinib, an inhibitor Bruton’s kinase, which relays activation nuclear factor kappa B upon integration constitutive cell receptor Toll-like signals. Down-stream B, thalidomide analogs lenalidomide pomalidomide exert functions currently explored against lymphomas. Finally, such as drugs targeting PD-1 pathway, may become novel options to unleash anti-tumor immunity patients with lymphoma.