Research into non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Researchers around the world are looking at better ways to monitor and treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for NHL in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included this ongoing research to give examples of the type of research being carried out in NHL.
Research and clinical trials
All cancer treatments must be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we can be sure that:
- they work
- they work better than the treatments already available
- they are safe
In this video, Jean talks about her experience of taking part in a clinical trial for NHL. The video lasts for 2 minutes.
John: We’ve been married 43 years very happily. When they told us that she had cancer it was like the end of the world to me. I was in shock.
Jean: When I went out of the general hospital onto oncology I met with the people there and they explained that as I was fit and healthy I could go onto a trial.
When I learned that I probably would be accepted onto the trial there were lots of questions that I had to ask and they were all answered, and I was quite confident.
The treatment lasted for three months and I was linked up to an IV in the hospital. I would be there all day and John would be there with me.
They take your obs every hour on the hour, they check that you’re well, they make sure that you’re hydrated. You get CT scans very regularly, blood tests, all the rest of it.
John: We also had a 24 hour nurse that we could phone. Any worries we could talk to her about and she would ease our minds on that situation.
Jean: I’ve now been given the all clear. I just feel that life is so good. I’m so very happy and so grateful to get my life back which I took. It’s a really warm feeling knowing that what you did has helped other people.
I can fully understand if people are offered a trial and they’re scared because they’re unsure of what’s going to happen. I can fully understand that, but anyone who has any form of phone, internet, whatever, you can ask the questions anywhere.
You can actually go to your doctor. There’s support there just waiting for you to ask.
Causes of NHL
Looking at gene changes, proteins and sugars
Researchers are looking at the causes of some types of lymphoma. They are looking at blood, bone marrow and tissue samples.
The doctors are looking at changes to certain genes, proteins and sugars. They want to understand how these changes could affect how these diseases develop. They hope to learn more about the causes and possible treatments.
Causes of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
There is a type of lymphoma called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). A very rare type of ALCL might be caused by breast implants. This is called breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
Researchers are looking at changes to certain genes, proteins and sugars. They want to find out more about how these changes could affect how BIA-ALCL develops. This may help develop new treatments for this condition in future.
Tests for NHL
New tests
Sometimes treatment doesn’t work or NHL comes back soon after. Doctors want to find out early on who has a high risk of their NHL coming back. One study is looking for 
in blood samples. Researchers want to know if they can use ctDNA to track if treatment is working early on.
Tests to monitor NHL
Researchers are looking at after NHL treatment. They want to know if the scans can help them decide who needs further treatment and who does not.
Treatment for NHL
Chemotherapy
It is common to have a combination of drugs to treat NHL. You often have this together with a . This is called chemoimmunotherapy.
Researchers are combining chemotherapy with different types of targeted cancer drugs. They are comparing it with standard treatments.
Targeted drugs and immunotherapy
Targeted drugs change the way that cells work. For example, they can block signals that tell cells to grow. Immunotherapies can boost the body’s own immune system to fight off or kill cancer cells.
There are different types of targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapies. Researchers are looking at many different drugs for NHL. These include:
- mogamulizumab
- glofitamab
- DTP3
- acalabrutinib
- MK-1026
- polatuzumab vedotin
- inobrodib
- odronextamab
- epcoritamab
- venetoclax
- zilovertamab vedotin
CAR T-cell therapy
Immunotherapy uses our immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells. One type of immunotherapy is CAR T-cell therapy.
With this treatment doctors take a sample of a person’s . The scientists then change (genetically alter) these T cells in the laboratory. These altered T cells are called CAR T-cells.
The patient then has a drip of the CAR T-cells into their bloodstream. For people with lymphoma, these CAR T-cells are designed to recognise and target a specific protein on the lymphoma cells. They aim to attack and kill the lymphoma cells.
CAR T-cell therapy is now a treatment for some types of NHL that has not responded to other treatment. Researchers are looking at:
- how they can make CAR T-cells work better
- new types of CAR T-cell therapy
- how well it works for other types of NHL
- how it compares to standard first treatments for NHL
Stem cell transplants
are a common treatment for some types of NHL. It is more common to have a transplant using your own stem cells. But some people have a transplant using stem cells from another person. This is called an allogeneic transplant.
happens when in the donated stem cells attack your own body cells. It is a possible complication of an allogeneic stem cell transplant.
Researchers are looking at different combinations of treatment to reduce the risk of GvHD. They are comparing newer treatments to the standard treatments used in the UK. They want to see how well these work.
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