Read article Biological therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma
This page tells you about biological therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma. There is information about
Biological therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma
Biological therapies are treatments using substances that occur naturally in the body or that change how these substances work. Various types of biological therapy have been tried for Hodgkin's lymphoma, sometimes linked to a radioactive molecule. Some therapies are still being tested in clinical trials.
Rituximab for lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma
People with the rare lymphocyte predominant type of Hodgkin's lymphoma may have a type of biological therapy called rituximab. It can control the lymphoma for a long time and help people to live longer if the lymphoma doesn't respond to standard chemotherapy or comes back afterwards. The side effects of rituximab can include flu like symptoms, feeling sick, diarrhoea, an itchy rash, changes in blood pressure, and feeling weak and tired.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating Hodgkin's lymphoma section.
Biological therapies are treatments that use substances that occur naturally in the body or that change how these substances work. These therapies can control or destroy cancer cells.
Various types of biological therapy have been tried for Hodgkin's lymphoma, sometimes linked to a radioactive molecule. Some therapies are still being tested in clinical trials and you can find information about them on the Hodgkin's Lymphoma research page. People with the rare lymphocyte predominant type of Hodgkin's lymphoma may have a type of biological therapy called rituximab.
In the rare lymphocyte predominant type of Hodgkin's lymphoma, treatment with rituximab (Mabthera) can work very well. Rituximab is a type of therapy called a monoclonal antibody. It attaches to particular proteins (receptors) on the lymphoma cells and stops the cells from dividing and growing. Rituximab on its own can control the lymphoma for a long time and help people to live longer if lymphocyte predominant lymphoma doesn't respond to standard chemotherapy or comes back.
Researchers are looking at using rituximab as a first treatment for lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma. Early studies seem to show that it works well. But it will be some time before we know exactly how helpful it is.
The side effects of rituximab can include flu like symptoms, feeling sick, diarrhoea, an itchy rash, changes in blood pressure, and feeling weak and tired.
There is detailed information about rituximab in the biological therapy section of CancerHelp UK. You can find out about clinical trials for Hodgkin's lymphoma on the clinical trials database. Pick 'Hodgkin's lymphoma' from the dropdown list.
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