The future of treatment for lymphoma is personalised therapy and chemotherapy-free treatments

This week marked WORLD lymphoma Day, a time dedicated to increasing awareness of this cancer type, improving knowledge, and highlighting research’s importance.
The incidence of new lymphomas is around 15 per 100,000 people annually.
Dr. Agustín Hernández, head of the Haematology at Quirónsalud Marbella and Malaga: “Colloquially, we refer to lymphoma as a very heterogeneous group of cancers originating in defence cells known as lymphocytes.
Both are potentially deadly and malignant, contrary to popular belief.
Many patients are diagnosed late with the disease, usually due to an inflamed node which does not disappear or because of results of tests performed for other reasons.
The specialist warns that in some very advanced cases, ‘fever without an apparent cause, intense night sweats, unintentional weight loss, persistent fatigue, or generalized itching can be the first symptoms noticed by the patient.
Doctor Hernandez continues, “In all of these situations, it is best to consult with a physician.”

Shift from chemotherapy to chemofree treatments

The therapeutic fields have reached a new turning point in recent years. “We are experiencing a true revolution in lymphoma treatments,” says Dr. Hernández.
Many cases have been able to switch from conventional chemotherapy to chemo-free treatment due the new technology. This includes CAR-T cells and bispecific antigens in non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and anti-CD30 and checkpoint inhibitions in Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The advances in medicine have enabled us to improve the survival rate and quality of living for patients who had few other options.

Another paradigm shift is the personalization of treatment.

“We increasingly seek personalized therapies based not only on the tumour, but also the characteristics and preference of our patients.
These treatments are tailored according to the molecular and biological profile of each tumor. They achieve deeper and more lasting responses, and in some cases with less toxicity. Recent advances have even led us to reconsider treatments like bone marrow transplants that in the past, and still do today, saved many lives.

Global survival rates

This progress is supported by the data: in the past 30 year, the global survival rates for lymphoma have doubled.
“Today more than 80% patients with Hodgkin lymphoma that has advanced can be treated with the first-line therapy.
“In non-Hodgkin indolent lymphomas, even though we don’t speak of a complete cure, we can achieve a long survival and a high quality of life.” And in more aggressive, chemotherapy-refractory lymphomas, both CAR-T therapies and bispecific agents are improving the prognosis for these patients, who until recently were facing purely palliative care.”

However, challenges remain.

The specialist warns that it is important to make sure that all patients can access the best treatments, to improve the strategies for detecting which patients need intensive therapy and which need targeted therapies, and to continue exploring the best drug combinations.
“We need to maximize resources as new therapies are more expensive than traditional treatments.” In this context he emphasizes the importance complementary measures. “We are strongly advocates for proper and targeted physical activity as well as the correct nutrition. These are relatively simple, inexpensive measures that can help improve and extend the lives of our patients.”

Clinical research: the key to a better future

The clinical research industry is seen as a key to the future. “Clinical trial are the foundation for progress.” They enable patients to receive cutting-edge treatments sooner and generate knowledge that benefits the society as a entire.”

Quirónsalud in Andalucia

The Quirónsalud Group currently operates seven hospital centers in Andalucia, located in the cities of Málaga, Marbella, Los Barrios (Cádiz), two in Seville, Córdoba, and Huelva, as well as 18 medical specialty and diagnostic centers, and a day surgery hospital, positioning it as the leading private healthcare provider in this autonomous community.

About Quirónsalud

Quirónsalud is the leading healthcare group in Spain and, together with its parent company Fresenius-Helios, also in Europe. In addition to its operations in Spain, Quirónsalud is also present in Latin America. Together they employ over 50 000 professionals in more than 180 health centers, including 57 hospital with over 8 000 beds. The group boasts the latest technology, as well as a highly skilled team with an international reputation. Among its centers are the Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Centro Médico Teknon, Ruber Internacional, Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid, Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Policlínica Gipuzkoa, Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, Hospital Quirónsalud Sagrado Corazón, etc.
The group is committed to promoting education (ten of its hospitals are university-affiliated) and medical-scientific research (it has the FJD Health Research Institute, accredited by the Secretary of State for Research, Development, and Innovation).
Quironsalud’s healthcare services have been organized into cross-cutting units and networks to maximize the knowledge and experience of different centers, and their clinical translation. Currently, Quirónsalud is developing numerous research projects across Spain, and many of its centres are leading the way in specialties such as oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, gynaecology, and neurology, among others.

Please visit our website to learn more. www.quironsalud.com/marbella Call
+34 952 774 200

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