Category: Lymphoma News

Lymphoma in the News: Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and Breast Implants

By Peter Martin, MD

Several news sources recently reported that women with breast implants may be at increased risk of developing a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). These reports are based on recent studies that suggest an association between ALCL and breast implants. In order to adequately understand the recent reports, it is important to have some background information.

ALCL is an uncommon form of T-cell lymphoma and it has at least three different subtypes: 1) Systemic ALK-positive ALCL; 2) Systemic ALK-negative ALCL; and 3) Primary cutaneous CD30-positive ALCL. This latter form typically caries an excellent prognosis and is usually managed with locally directed therapy; i.e., surgery or radiation but not chemotherapy. Continue reading “Lymphoma in the News: Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and Breast Implants”

Follicular Lymphoma Clinical Trial

Combination Veltuzumab (Anti-CD20) and Fractionated 90Y- Epratuzumab (Anti-CD22) Radioimmunotherapy in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma

Update: this study is closed to enrollment. 

Monoclonal antibodies can fight lymphoma by binding to proteins expressed on lymphoma cells and either directly killing or inducing the immune system to kill the tumor cells.

With radioimmunotherapy, the antibody is labeled with a radioactive molecule, allowing directed delivery of radiation to the lymphoma.  Radioimmunotherapy is effective in follicular lymphoma, but immune reactions against the radiolabeled antibody have limited the utility of this approach.

In this study, we are evaluating the combination of an unlabeled antibody to one lymphoma-associated protein (CD20) with a radio-labeled antibody to a different lymphoma-associated protein (CD22), in hopes of improving responses. The antibodies are modified to minimize immune responses, and both antibodies will be given in repeated doses in order to increase the total amount of drug administered while limiting side effects.

Eligibility:

  • Follicular lymphoma
  • No more than 2 prior systemic treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Detailed eligibility discussed when you contact the study team

For more information, contact June Greenberg, RN at (212) 746-2651 or jdg2002@med.cornell.edu.

Click here to view all lymphoma clinical trials at Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Weill Cornell’s Dr. John Leonard is Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Featured Researcher

Dr. John Leonard, the Clinical Director of the New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma and the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s (LRF) Scientific Advisory Board Chair-Elect, is currently the Featured Researcher on the LRF website, www.lymphoma.org.

Click here to read the LRF profile of Dr. Leonard.