In tumor patients, programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) can inhibit T-cell activation and proliferation by binding to its ligand, thereby promote tumor immune escape. A large number of experiments showed that PD-L1 molecule highly expressed on lymphoma cells, while PD-1 expression was up-regulated in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, suggesting its role in the development of lymphoma, which may be an important therapeutic target for lymphoma. PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies can block the PD-1 / PD-Ls signaling pathway, restore T cell function, thus inhibit the tumor growth. At present, a number of early clinical trials have demonstrated the significant efficacy and less side effects in various subtypes of recurrent lymphoma, which will be promising therapeutic agents. In this review, the mechanism of PD-1/PD-L1 signal pathway, the expression of PD-1 / PD-L1 in lymphoma and the anti-tumor effect of its antibody in lymphoma are summarized.