Is a Cure Within Reach for Mantle Cell Lymphoma?

Mantle cell lymphoma research has been moving along steadily. Here are the most recent updates in terms of research and treatment.

What are researchers working on?

So, the biggest question on most people's mind is "what are researchers working towards?" Fortunately, a lot.

Researchers' goals involve improving outcomes for patients who are suffering from mantle cell lymphoma. At the moment, a clinical research program is in place to find out how effective new forms of treatment can be.

Researchers are also looking into the abnormalities that occur on the genetic level that lead to the condition. If this is found, targeted therapies will be more possible.

How is mantle cell lymphoma diagnosed?

Lymphoma itself is a family of blood cancers. They come from white blood cells by the name of lymphocytes, which are used to fight against viruses, fungi, bacteria, foreign organisms, and more. They travel through the lymphatic system, and grow either in or outside of the lymph nodes.

There are over seventy types of lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma is a very specific subtype of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is considered to be very aggressive. Mantle Cell is very rare, and only accounts for between five and six percent of Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. There are only around 5,000 cases in the United States every year. It more frequently affects males (the ration is between 3:1 to 4:1) and the median age is around 68. It is incurable.

For diagnosis, two major questions are asked. What subtype of lymphoma is it? How much of the disease is present? These questions To further look into whether it may be Mantle Cell Lymphoma, blood tests, CT scans, PET scans, colonoscopies, and biopsies, and other forms of tests may be used.

Research in genetic alterations

Researchers have found that the most common alterations are ATM, TP53, and other epigenetic modifiers. This knowledge is important as it enables people to track their risk.

TP53 alterations or deletions are said to imply more negative prognosis and are usually more aggressive forms of mantle cell lymphoma.

It is important to note that each case of mantle cell lymphoma is individual, and oncologists are working to ensure that care is personalized to the greatest extent possible. To analyze this, one must find specific histologic studies, lymph node biopsies, bone marrow biopsies, the architecture of the cells. Also important are ow cytometry, specialized genetic testing, and immunohistochemistry.

New ways to predict outcomes

Researchers have found new ways to analyze the possibilities of certain outcomes when it comes to mantle cell lymphoma. One way to tell is a specific expression of genes that have already shown to be connected to mantle cell lymphoma, which was first looked into by pro ling on biopsy specimens, but methods have evolved so now immunohistochemical tests can be done and offer a surrogate marker of proliferation.

Researchers have found that Ki-67 is one of the top prognostic markers, and those who have it tend to deal with a more aggressive strain.

There is also a tool called the MIPI-Biologic, which includes age, LDH, performance status, white blood cell count, and Ki-67. Often, by the results of the MIPI-Biologic, patients will be separated into groups that enable researchers to further delve into their specifics, especially their risks.

Read on to learn more about new advancements in mantle cell lymphoma care.