Until today, the real cause of follicular lymphoma remains unknown. Follicular lymphoma, unlike several other cancers, is non-hereditary. It is found more in people above 60 but can occur at any age.
Researchers speculate that radiation, cancer-causing chemicals, or certain infections could be the cause of the disease. However, in many cases, the reason goes undetected.
About Follicular Lymphoma
Accounting for around 20% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma instances, Follicular Lymphoma is the second most widely spread NHL subtype. It grows from B cells and is a slowly developing disorder. The disease is named so because usually, abnormal B cells form into clumps called ‘follicles’ in the lymph nodes.
The symptoms can range from a painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, stomach, or groin to night sweats, weight loss, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Follicular Lymphoma can also be asymptomatic in many cases.
This condition has no permanent cure, and the scientific community considers it to be a chronic disease. Follicular Lymphoma has a widely varying clinical course – ranging from a least responsive course that can span over decades to a clinically highly aggressive course with only a brief period of response after treatment.
The Treatment Market
Currently, biotech and pharmaceutical companies are investigating the Follicular Lymphoma treatment market including companies like – Roche, Takeda, TG Therapeutics, Xynomic Pharma, Novartis, MEI Pharma, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, ADC Therapeutics, MorphoSys, Bristol Myers Squibb, Nordic Nanovector, Incyte Corporation, and many more.
The NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines mention a few therapies for treating Follicular Lymphoma, and they are as follows:
- Lenalidomide with rituximab.
- Lenalidomide plus obinutuzumab.
- Bendamustine plus obinutuzumab or rituximab.
- Tazemetostat (the EZH2 inhibitor).
- R-CHOP (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, rituximab, prednisone)
- R-CVP (prednisone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, rituximab).
Some novel Follicular Lymphoma therapies undergoing tests include:
- Antibody-drug conjugates (antibodies joined to chemotherapy drugs).
- New antibody therapies that include antibodies binding to two different targets.
- Checkpoint inhibitors.
- Drugs that block proteins linked to particular genetic changes in lymphoma cells.
- Cell signal blockers.
- CAR T-cell therapy.
Many targeted therapies already approved for other lymphomas are undergoing trials for Follicular Lymphoma as well. Some of these targeted therapies work by addressing the immune system to eliminate lymphoma, thus offering new non-chemotherapy treatments in the future.
Sources: Follicular Lymphoma Market – Emerging Treatment and New Strategies, By Delveinsight.
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