BCI HomeLymphoma

Lymphoma

Print
PDF

Lymphoma

Why we focus on Lymphoma

There are two main types of lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Both are cancers of the lymphatic system and usually present as swelling of the lymph nodes.  Almost 12,000 cases of NHL are diagnosed in the UK each year, making it the 5th most common cancer. The incidence of the disease has more than doubled since 1975. HL is much rarer with almost 2,000 new cases in the UK each year. While this is one of the most curable cancers, the outcome can be dismal for those patients who fail to respond to standard therapy. Therefore, although the outcome for lymphoma patients has improved recently, there is still a need for novel treatments, particularly in elderly patients, and to develop new therapies, we also need to better understand the molecular biology of the disease.

What we do

  • We are investigating the genetic mutations involved in lymphoma development, progression and transformation from indolent to aggressive lymphoma.
  • A major focus is the role of the tumour microenvironment and how this impacts upon prognosis.
  • We are investigating the mechanism of action of novel agents to identify and optimise new treatment approaches in clinical trials.
  • We are investigating the role of immunotherapy approaches in these diseases.
  • We are investigating the role of stem cell transplantation to improve outcome in patients who have failed conventional therapy.

Key Publications

  • Bödör et al. EZH2 Y641 mutations in FL. Leukemia 2011; 25: 726-9.
  • Wrench et al. SNP rs6457327 in the HLA region on chromosome 6p is predictive of the transformation of FL. Blood 2011; 117: 3147-50.
  • Montoto & Fitzgibbon. Transformation of indolent B-cell lymphomas. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29: 1827-34.
  • Clear et al. Increased angiogenic sprouting in poor prognosis FL is associated with elevated numbers of CD163+ macrophages within the immediate sprouting microenvironment. Blood 2010; 115: 5053-6.
  • Ramsay et al. FL cells induce T-cell immunologic synapse dysfunction that can be repaired with lenalidomide: implications for the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy. Blood 2009; 114: 4713-20.

Who does the research

→ Click here for BCI senior researchers working on lymphoma.

Major Funders

  • Cancer Research UK
  • Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Fund     
  • Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund
  • MRC
  • US NIH