A study to find out more about biomarkers in Hodgkin lymphoma (BACH)

Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.

Cancer type:

Blood cancers
Hodgkin lymphoma
Lymphoma

Status:

Closed

Phase:

Other

This study is looking at biomarkers in tissue and blood samples of people with Hodgkin lymphoma to help tell how well the treatment is working.

A biomarker Open a glossary item is a substance in the body that doctors can measure. In this study, doctors are looking at a biomarker called CCL17.

This study is for people living in Scotland. 

More about this trial

Cells Open a glossary item have substances (proteins) that tell them how to behave and grow. Doctors can use certain proteins in cancer cells as biomarkers. One of the biomarkers for Hodgkin lymphoma (also called Hodgkin’s disease) is CCL17.

In this study, doctors will use

  • blood samples taken before, during and after treatment  
  • cancer samples (biopsies Open a glossary item) taken when you were diagnosed

They use these to look for the CCL17 biomarker. Researchers think this biomarker can help tell how well the treatment is working.

The aims of this study are to

  • develop a rapid biomarker test for CCL17
  • find out if the CCL17 can be used to show how a treatment is working

Who can enter

The following bullet points list the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.

You may be able to join this study if you live in Scotland and all of the following apply. You

  • Have a recent diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Are at least 16 years old 

Trial design

The researchers need about 80 people across Scotland to take part.

First, the study team asks you some questions about

  • your age
  • your ethnic background
  • your allergies
  • if you have had an infection with mononucleosis (also called glandular fever or mono)

You have blood tests before the start of your treatment and then

  • twice during treatment (before your 2nd and 3rd chemotherapy treatment cycle)
  •  at the end of treatment
  • during your follow up Open a glossary item visits 

The blood tests will be done at the same time you have other blood tests that are part of your normal care.

Tissue sample

The study team may ask to use a sample of your cancer taken when you were diagnosed to check the CCL17 biomarker.

They may also look for a virus called Epstein Barr virus (EBV) that is associated with some cases of Hodgkin lymphoma.  

PET-CT scan

As part of your normal care, the doctors might ask you to have a PET-CT scan before and then after 2 treatment cycles of chemotherapy. This is to check how the treatment is working.

If this happens, the study team will look at the images together with the results of the blood tests.

Medical records

The study team will look at your medical records to find out about you and your medical history Open a glossary item

Only people involved in this research will look at your records and your details will be kept confidential. 

Hospital visits

You do not have any extra visits as part of this study. Your blood tests will be done at the same time as you have other tests that are part of your normal care.  

Side effects

There are no side effects associated with taking part in this study.

Recruitment start:

Recruitment end:

How to join a clinical trial

Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Chief Investigator

Professor Ruth Jarrett 

Supported by

Scottish Government Health Directorates Chief Scientist Office (CSO)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 

If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses

Freephone 0808 800 4040

Last review date

CRUK internal database number:

13951

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Around 1 in 5 people take part in clinical trials

3 phases of trials

Around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK take part in a clinical trial.

Last reviewed:

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