June 2018 -

What are the long-term effects of stem cell transplant on survival of patients with unresponsive Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

administrator / 06/26/2018

This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of stem cell transplantation (SCT) on survival in patients with unresponsive Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). This study found that SCT was safe and effective in patients with HL that is unrepsonsive to treatment. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the bone marrow that can lead to abnormal immune cells. Patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) are often cured by cancer treatments. However, some may not respond to therapy (refractory), while others may lose response over time (relapsing). Common therapy for refractory/relapsing (RR) HL patients is stem cell transplantation. This involves the transfer of stem cells to the patient from a donor. In many cases, stem cell transplantation can cure RR-HL but side effects can occur such as Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD – transplant rejection). It is important to research of SCT is a safe and effective treatment for patients with RR-HL This study aimed to investigate the effect of stem cell transplantation on survival in RR-HL patients. This study included 70 RR-HL patients who had undergone stem cell transplantation. Patients were observed for 6.2 years on average. Twenty-three percent of patients had refractory disease. Overall survival, progression-free survival (survival without the cancer getting worse), the development of GVHD and relapse-free survival were analysed.After five years, overall survival was 59%. Progression-free survival was 49%. Sixty-six percent of patients did not develop GVHD. At year 5, 26% of patients had survived without developing GVHD or relapsing and 48% survived without developing GVHD. Having refractory HL before stem cell transplant influenced survival, the development of GVHD, and disease relapse. This study suggesed that stem cell transplantation may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that is unresponsive to cancer chemotherapy. This study selected patients with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma who had no additional diseases/conditions. Therefore, the results may not apply to all patients with HL, with other diseases.

What are the effects of different doses and treatments for limited stage classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

This study investigated the effects of increasing the initial dose of chemotherapy in patients with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL). The main finding was that it is necessary to assess each treatment plan based on the patient’s individual disease. Chemotherapy plus stem cell transplant (SCT; meaning the transfer of stem cells) and radiation are common treatments for cHL. Event free survival (EFS – didn’t show a specific cancer symptom over a specific period of time), positron-emission tomography (PET – used to diagnose and monitor cancer) scanning and red blood cell sedimentation (blood test for inflammation) are commonly monitored in trials for new therapies/regimes for cHL Different doses and combinations of therapies have different effects in cHL. . It is necessary to investigate the effects of different treatment strategies for cHL. Two hundred and seventy-eight patients with cHL were studied. Patients who had received the minimum chemotherapy alone and that had reached remission (no signs of active cancer) were included. EFS and red blood cell sedimentation rate were monitored and PET scanning was carried out. After 4 years, 49% of patients had received the minimum chemotherapy without radiation. Remission was achieved by 88.8% of patients without receiving high dose chemotherapy plus SCT or high dose radiation. Almost 100% of patients survived. Nearly 76% of patients with nodular sclerosis (a common type of cHL) had event free survival. A slow red blood cell sedimentation rate was linked to greater EFS. Negative PET scan results after 1 cycle of chemotherapy was linked with event free survival. The study conlcuded that lower doses of chemotherapy were effective in patients who had negative PET scan results and slow red blood cell sedimentation. Higher doses of chemotherapy should be considered for patients with nodular sclerosis plus high ESR or positive PET scan results Only patients up to the age of 21 were included in this study. Therefore the results may not be representative of patients over 21.