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

To make sure the research is accurate, each trial has certain entry conditions for who can take part. These are different for each trial.

Hospitals do not take part in every clinical trial. Some trials are only done in a small number of hospitals, or in one area of the country. You may need to travel quite far if you take part in these trials. 

In this video, Jean talks about her experience of taking part in a clinical trial for NHL. The video lasts for 2 minutes. 

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 circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) Open a glossary item 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 PET-CT scans Open a glossary item 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 chemotherapy Open a glossary item drugs to treat NHL. You often have this together with a targeted cancer drug Open a glossary item. 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 T cells Open a glossary item. 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

Stem cell transplants Open a glossary item 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.

Graft versus host disease (GvHD) Open a glossary item happens when T cells Open a glossary item 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.

Related links