Change in Chemotherapy Regimen Can Reduce Long Term Health Impacts in Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients: Study Finds
A simple change to the chemotherapy regimen for people with Hodgkin lymphoma could reduce the long-term health impacts that can result from treatment, according to researchers in Cambridge. The findings could lead to the national guidance on chemotherapy treatment for these patients being revised.
The study, published in The Lancet Oncology compares the lasting effects of two chemotherapy regimens used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma in younger adults.
Data previously collected from 1,945 patients treated with the existing chemotherapy regime (eBEACOPP) was compared to 312 patients treated with a similar regimen, called eBEACOPDac. Both treatments use combinations of drugs, and the change replaces one of these, procarbazine, with another called dacarbazine. Both chemotherapies achieved the same success in treating cancer, but comparison of data from the two groups showed that patients treated with eBEACOPDac generally experienced fewer, less severe side effects.
Patients treated with the new regimen spent less time in hospital, required fewer blood transfusions following treatment, and more patients showed signs of recovering fertility sooner. This also has the potential to reduce hospital admissions and demand for hospital appointments. Part of the study used whole genome sequencing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute to look at the effects of both treatments and showed that eBEACOPDac has a greatly reduced impact on patient genes.
Professor George Follows, Consultant Haematologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge and co-lead author on the study, said: “Our findings highlight the potential to make the short and long-term side effects of chemotherapy much kinder for Hodgkin lymphoma patients without compromising the effectiveness of treatment. By making a small change to how patients are managed, we can greatly reduce the lasting impacts that this disease, and its treatment, has on their lives giving many more patients the opportunity to go on to raise families.”
Reference: Hodgkin lymphoma therapy: minimising clinical and biological harms, Viviani, Simonetta et al.,The Lancet Oncology, Volume 0, Issue 0
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.