Nivolumab With or Without Varlilumab in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Aggressive B-cell Lymphomas

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine the anti-tumor activity of combination therapy with CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab as compared to nivolumab alone in patients with advanced aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) based on the lymphoma response to immunomodulatory therapy criteria or LYRIC. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the safety and tolerability profile of treatment with a combination of CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab in patients with advanced aggressive B-cell NHL. II. To evaluate the duration of response, progression-free survival and overall survival. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the effect of combination therapy with CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab on the immune system as assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), mass cytometry (CyTOF), changes in serum cytokine profile and immunogenicity assays. II. To describe the pharmacokinetic profile of CDX-1127 (varlilumab) and nivolumab when used in combination. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups. GROUP I: Patients receive nivolumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes every 2 weeks for 4 months and every 4 weeks for a total of up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients may cross over to Group II at the time of disease progression. GROUP II: Patients receive varlilumab IV over 90 minutes every 4 weeks for up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes every 2 weeks for 4 months and every 4 weeks for a total of up to 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 100 days.