Research and clinical trials
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for Hodgkin lymphoma 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 open and closed trials to give examples of ongoing research.
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
We don’t know exactly what causes Hodgkin lymphoma. Researchers are studying blood and tumour samples taken from people with Hodgkin lymphoma. They use these samples to look at , changes in genes and past .
Researchers have discovered a link between Hodgkin lymphoma and a virus called the Epstein Barr virus.
Find out more about the causes and risks of Hodgkin lymphoma
Doctors are looking at ways to improve tests for Hodgkin lymphoma. They want to:
improve ways of Hodgkin lymphoma to help make decisions about treatment
know how well treatment has worked
make the tests less invasive
A biopsy means taking a sample of tissue so that it can be looked at under a microscope. People used to have bone marrow to check for lymphoma cells in their bone marrow. But they don’t usually need to have bone marrow biopsies anymore. Doctors can now use scans instead of bone marrow biopsies.
Researchers are looking at different ways of taking lymph node biopsies, to help diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma.
Doctors use PET-CT scans to help diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma and monitor how well treatment is working.
Many trials have looked at using PET-CT scans after the first few cycles of to check how well the treatment is working. These show that the PET-CT scan is useful in helping the doctor can decide if their patient needs further treatment. This is called response adapted treatment.
Find out more about tests used for Hodgkin lymphoma
Researchers are looking at different treatments for people with Hodgkin lymphoma.
There are trials looking at improving chemotherapy treatment for people with Hodgkin lymphoma.
They are looking at:
different combinations of chemotherapy, and other treatments
stem cell transplants with different chemotherapy and targeted cancer drugs
the long and short term side effects of treatments
Find out about chemotherapy trials for Hodgkin lymphoma
You might have targeted or immunotherapy drugs as part of your treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences in cancer cells that help them grow and survive. Immunotherapy uses our to fight cancer. It works by helping the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.
There is a lot of research looking at different types of targeted and immunotherapy drugs. This includes research for people who:
have just been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma
have relapsed lymphoma. This means that their lymphoma has come back after treatment
have had treatment but it has not worked as well as your doctor would like
are older
are unable to have chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant
are very young. This includes children and young adults
Some trials are looking at adding a targeted drug called brentuximab to standard chemotherapy. As well as testing it with other targeted drugs.
Other targeted drugs that researchers are looking into include:
nivolumab
pembrolizumab
favezelimab
relatlimab
avelumab
Find out more information about some of these targeted drugs
Stem cell transplants are common treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma that has come back (relapsed). Most people with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma have an autologous stem cell transplant. This means you have your own collected and you then have them back after high dose chemotherapy. But doctors are also looking at using allogeneic stem cell transplants, where the stem cells come from a donor.
You usually only have an allogeneic stem cell transplant if your autologous stem cell transplant hasn’t worked. For some people an allogeneic stem cell transplant can get rid of their Hodgkin lymphoma.
However the donor cells can sometimes attack normal body cells. This causes a reaction called graft versus host disease (GvHD). New drug combinations are being researched to try to reduce the risk of GvHD.
Read more about stem cell transplants
Doctors usually treat Hodgkin lymphoma with chemotherapy and some people also have radiotherapy. These treatments often work very well but they can have side effects.
Researchers are looking at different ways of treating Hodgkin lymphoma to improve treatment and reduce side effects. They are looking are new techniques and ways to deliver radiotherapy.
This is especially important for children and young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma can affect your fertility. If you have not had children, or would like more in the future, your doctor will discuss this with you. They may offer to refer you to see a fertility specialist before starting treatment. Having high dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant may affect your ability to have children in the future. Your fertility may also be affected if you have radiotherapy to your pelvis area.
Researchers are looking at ways to reduce the impact of treatment on fertility for men and women. They are looking at using:
fewer of chemotherapy for some people
different types of chemotherapy drugs
less radiotherapy
new radiotherapy techniques
Find out more about fertility after Hodgkin lymphoma treatment
Last reviewed: 09 Jul 2024
Next review due: 09 Jul 2027
Search for clinical trials with Cancer Research UK. Clinical trials are medical research studies involving people.
The main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment you have depends on a number of things such as the type and stage of Hodgkin lymphoma and your general health.
Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, and life during and after treatment.
There are many cancer drugs, cancer drug combinations and they have individual side effects.
Survival for Hodgkin lymphoma is generally good, particularly if you are diagnosed early. However survival depends on many factors and no one can tell you exactly how long you will live. Find out more about survival.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. Find out more about the tests, treatments and support available if you have Hodgkin lymphoma.
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