New treatment Improves Survival of Lymphoma Patients.>
Monday, 29 May 2006

Singapore, 29 May 2006 - As a result of advances in cancer treatment, median survival and complete remission rates of B cell type of non-hodgkin lymphoma patients have improved.

Patients with aggressive B cell type of non-hodgkin lymphoma were treated with the regimen R-CHOP, comprising four chemotherapeutic drugs in combination with a monoclonal antibody, commonly referred to as R-CHOP. In a review of about 300 patients with aggressive B cell lymphoma, doctors at NCCS have found that this regimen of R-CHOP improved survival rate at 2 years by approximately 15% compared to the survival rate of those on standard treatment with just CHOP chemotherapy alone. Complete remission rates have also similarly improved by about 15 to 20%, from approximately 65% to 80%.

“Our local data on enhanced survival is thus comparable to those found in the West. About 50-60% of patients with non-hodgkin lymphoma will potentially stand to benefit from this treatment”, said Dr Lim Soon Thye, Consultant, Medical Oncologist, NCCS.

About Lymphoma

Lymphoma is the eighth most common male cancer in Singapore according to the Singapore Cancer Registry. However in children and young adults, it is the third most common cancer seen. It affects more men than women. Most adult patients develop lymphoma after the age of 50.

There is no specific cause for lymphoma but it has been closely associated with abnormally decreased immune systems that may be present from birth or associated with certain viruses.

Lymphoma commonly appears as a painless lump that persists or increases in size. A doctor should be seen if there is any painless swelling in the neck, armpits or groin with or without persistent fever, drenching sweats or unexplainable weight loss.

About Monoclonal Antibodies

This is a kind of biological therapy that helps your immune system recognize cancer cells as invaders.

Your body makes antibodies, a type of protein, to help fight off infections. Monoclonal antibodies are artificial antibodies that can be directed against specific targets on certain cancer cells. When these monoclonal antibodies are injected into your body, they attach to the specific target for which they were made, usually on the surface of certain cancer cells. This helps your body recognize the cancer cells as foreign and allows your immune system to detect, target and kill the cancer cells.

Other types of monoclonal antibodies may be laced with radioactive substances or toxins and deliver these chemicals directly to the cancer cells to which they attach. These toxins or radioactivity kill the cancer cells, leaving most of your healthy cells untouched.

Some monoclonal antibodies are approved to treat certain forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute myelogenous leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as well as breast, colon and rectal cancers.