Research into Hodgkin lymphoma
Researchers around the world are looking at better ways to diagnose and treat Hodgkin lymphoma. They are also trying to manage treatment side effects better.
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included open and closed trials to give examples of ongoing research.
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Research and clinical trials
All cancer treatments must be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we can be sure that:
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they work
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they work better than the treatments already available
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they are safe
Research into the causes of Hodgkin lymphoma
We don’t know exactly what causes Hodgkin lymphoma. Researchers are studying blood and tumour samples taken from people with Hodgkin lymphoma. They use these samples to look at 
, changes in genes and past .
Researchers have discovered a link between Hodgkin lymphoma and a virus called the Epstein Barr virus.
Research into tests for Hodgkin lymphoma
Doctors are looking at ways to improve tests for Hodgkin lymphoma. They want to:
- improve ways of
staging Hodgkin lymphoma to help make decisions about treatment - know how well treatment has worked
- make the tests less invasive
Biopsies
A biopsy means taking a sample of tissue so that it can be looked at under a microscope. People used to have bone marrow to check for lymphoma cells in their bone marrow. But they don’t usually need to have bone marrow biopsies anymore. Doctors can now use scans instead of bone marrow biopsies.
Researchers are looking at different ways of taking lymph node biopsies, to help diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma.
PET-CT scans
Doctors use PET-CT scans to help diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma and monitor how well treatment is working.
Many trials have looked at using PET-CT scans after the first few cycles of to check how well the treatment is working. These show that the PET-CT scan is useful in helping the doctor can decide if their patient needs further treatment. This is called response adapted treatment.
Research into treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma
Researchers are looking at different treatments for people with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Chemotherapy
There are trials looking at improving chemotherapy treatment for people with Hodgkin lymphoma.
They are looking at:
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different combinations of chemotherapy, and other treatments
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stem cell transplants with different chemotherapy and targeted cancer drugs
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the long and short term side effects of treatments
Targeted and immunotherapy drugs
You might have targeted or immunotherapy drugs as part of your treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences in cancer cells that help them grow and survive. Immunotherapy uses our to fight cancer. It works by helping the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.
There is a lot of research looking at different types of targeted and immunotherapy drugs. This includes research for people who:
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have just been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma
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have relapsed lymphoma. This means that their lymphoma has come back after treatment
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have had treatment but it has not worked as well as your doctor would like
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are older
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are unable to have chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant
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are very young. This includes children and young adults
Some trials are looking at adding a targeted drug called brentuximab to standard chemotherapy. As well as testing it with other targeted drugs.
Other targeted drugs that researchers are looking into include:
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nivolumab
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pembrolizumab
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favezelimab
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relatlimab
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avelumab
Stem cell transplants
Stem cell transplants are common treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma that has come back (relapsed). Most people with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma have an autologous stem cell transplant. This means you have your own collected and you then have them back after high dose chemotherapy. But doctors are also looking at using allogeneic stem cell transplants, where the stem cells come from a donor.
You usually only have an allogeneic stem cell transplant if your autologous stem cell transplant hasn’t worked. For some people an allogeneic stem cell transplant can get rid of their Hodgkin lymphoma.
However the donor cells can sometimes attack normal body cells. This causes a reaction called graft versus host disease (GvHD). New drug combinations are being researched to try to reduce the risk of GvHD.
Radiotherapy
Doctors usually treat Hodgkin lymphoma with chemotherapy and some people also have radiotherapy. These treatments often work very well but they can have side effects.
Researchers are looking at different ways of treating Hodgkin lymphoma to improve treatment and reduce side effects. They are looking are new techniques and ways to deliver radiotherapy.
This is especially important for children and young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Fertility after treatment
Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma can affect your fertility. If you have not had children, or would like more in the future, your doctor will discuss this with you. They may offer to refer you to see a fertility specialist before starting treatment. Having high dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant may affect your ability to have children in the future. Your fertility may also be affected if you have radiotherapy to your pelvis area.
Researchers are looking at ways to reduce the impact of treatment on fertility for men and women. They are looking at using:
- less
cycles of chemotherapy for some people - different types of chemotherapy drugs
- less radiotherapy
- new radiotherapy techniques
