Current research

The causes of lymphoma are unknown and a large number of people die every year of the disease.  It is no wonder that scientists are eager to find a cure for the problem.  Research on Lymphoma and ways and means of curing the disease or at least dealing with the disease or the side effects of the treatment is exercising the minds of innumerable scientists across the world. However, it is heartening to note that considerable breakthrough has been made in this area during the recent years.

Genetic engineering research on Lymphoma

Breakthrough in genetic engineering is helping scientists understand how DNA can cause normal lymphocytes to transform into lymphoma cells. The genes involving certain translocation that often occurs in lymphoma have been studied and this is providing a deeper insight into why these cells develop so rapidly, have so long a life and why they do not grow into mature cells that take part in all the normal immune reactions. They are convinced that if this is completely understood, it is possible to develop drugs to cure people of this disease.

Interestingly, an effective drug has already been released to cure people of myelogenous leukemia. This has encouraged scientists to believe that a similar approach to lymphoma treatment will yield good results.

Progress in the understanding of DNA changes in lymphoma has resulted in an advanced test for detecting this disease.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is another area that is attracting the attention of scientists as a potential source for finding a cure for lymphoma. Several new drugs are being researched and scientists are studying already known drugs by combining them in new ways or using them in different proportions in the hope of finding a drug that will assist in the process with minimum side effects.

Antibodies  

It has been discover that specially manufactured antibodies are immensely effective in destroying the lymphoma cells. The antibodies have the capacity to target specific chemical present in the lymphoma cells and to destroy them. This is very effective because they destroy only the lymphoma cells and the healthy body tissues are safe. Antisense oligonucleotides are chemicals that are used to stop the cell’s genetic process.  The genetic changes which make the lymphoma cells cancerous are identified and the chemicals are used to block these changes.

Bone Marrow and stem cell research

Yet other researchers are continuing to research ways to improve bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation methods. Autologous transplantation has the risk of reintroducing lymphoma cells even after the transplantation. Scientists are trying new or improved ways of eradicating all lymphoma cells from the stem cells before they are returned to the patient.

Vaccines

There has always been a possibility of patients with cancer developing antibodies against their cancers. In rare instances people have actually ejected cancer from their systems and become cured. This has encouraged scientists to develop several vaccines which help immune reactions. Instead of the vaccines used in children to prevent infectious diseases from taking hold, here the vaccines aim to create an immune reaction in patients with early disease or those whose disease is remission. So far there has been little success, but it is a major area of research in lymphoma treatment. 

Alternative or complementary therapies

Alternate or complementary therapies often help the patient overcome the Lymphoma faster.  Acupuncture or relaxation techniques relax the patient after chemotherapy and help them overcome the side effects of these treatments. Most oncologists prefer an integrated approach to treatment of Lymphoma. However, alternative therapies which include ingesting some herbs should be undertaken only after consultation with the physician treating the patient.

Clinical trials

No research can be complete unless, the impact of the drug on humans is evaluated.  Clinical trials are carefully designed research studies on humans affected by different kinds of Lymphoma.  This is part of an “investigational” method of treatment and should be undertaken only if the patient is willing to subject himself to it and the physician is convinced that it will help the patient fight the disease.

Cancer cure no longer appears to be a distant dream.  Multifaceted research and a number of breakthroughs have encouraged scientists to believe that they will soon have an answer to the most malignant of cancers.  For the sake of the millions impacted by Lymphoma and cancers of different kinds, let us hope this dream is soon realized.