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Tractable tumors

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Lymphomas are malignant tumors of the lymphatic system and are divided into two main categories: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The lymphatic system is formed by a network of thin channels, called lymph vessels, that carry lymph through the body. Lymph contains lymphocytes, and a white blood cells population playing a key role in the immune system. Along the network of lymph vessels are groups of lymph nodes, small lymphatic organs consisting of well-organized and structured aggregates of lymphoid tissue. In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, tumor cells develop from lymph nodes and invade the adjacent nodes. Since lymphatic tissue can be found in many parts of the body, the tumor can spread to virtually all organs and tissues, including the liver, bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the large bones of the body) and spleen.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be diagnosed to subjects of any age, although it is more frequently reported in young individuals around 20 years of age and in the over 60 age group. Although the causes of the disease are not yet fully understood, certain risk factors have been identified, including deficit of the immune system and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection.

While chemotherapy and radiation therapy have traditionally been the mainstays of treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, immunoncology is now providing new treatment opportunities to patients and new clinical trials are underway to further explore the role of these drugs in the treatment of this disease.