Lymphoma cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is responsible for fighting infections and diseases. While there are several types of lymphoma, the two main categories are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment of lymphoma typically involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and in some cases, stem cell transplantation. However, clinical trials are also an important part of the treatment of lymphoma cancer.
Clinical trials are research studies that involve human participants. The purpose of clinical trials is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, diagnostic tools, or preventative measures. In this article, we will explore some of the latest clinical trials for lymphoma cancer patients and how they are changing the landscape of treatment.
Checkpoint Inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy that works by targeting proteins that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. By blocking these proteins, checkpoint inhibitors allow the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results in the treatment of several types of cancer, including lymphoma.
In one clinical trial, patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma were treated with the checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab. The trial found that nivolumab was effective in shrinking tumours in over 60% of patients. Another clinical trial evaluated the use of pembrolizumab, another checkpoint inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. The trial found that pembrolizumab was effective in treating 45% of patients.
CAR T-Cell Therapy
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that involves genetically modifying a patient’s T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. In this therapy, T-cells are collected from a patient’s blood and modified in a laboratory to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). The CARs allow the T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells that express specific proteins.
CAR T-cell therapy has shown remarkable results in the treatment of certain types of lymphoma. In one clinical trial, patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel, a CAR T-cell therapy. The trial found that 82% of patients experienced a response to the treatment, and 54% of patients experienced a complete response.
Bispecific Antibodies
Bispecific antibodies are a type of immunotherapy that works by binding to two different proteins at the same time. In the treatment of lymphoma, bispecific antibodies can be designed to bind to a protein on the surface of cancer cells and a protein on the surface of T-cells. This allows the T-cells to recognize and attack the cancer cells.
In one clinical trial, patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were treated with mosunetuzumab, a bispecific antibody. The trial found that mosunetuzumab was effective in treating 67% of patients, with 43% of patients experiencing a complete response.
Conclusion
Clinical trials are an important part of the treatment of lymphoma cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and bispecific antibodies are just a few examples of the latest treatments being evaluated in clinical trials. These therapies have shown promising results in the treatment of lymphoma and are changing the landscape of treatment. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lymphoma, it is important to discuss the available treatment options with your healthcare provider and consider participating in clinical trials when appropriate.
