Expectations! What New Drugs Are Available for Childhood Lymphoma?

Source: Sunflower Children  

Author: Sunflower Children  

Editor: Yang Yuan  

Date: February 7, 2025  

What is Childhood Lymphoma?  

What Are the Symptoms?

Childhood lymphoma is the third most common malignant tumor in children in China, with an incidence rate of approximately 12 per million, accounting for 9.7% of all childhood malignancies. It is estimated that there are 6,000 to 8,000 new cases of childhood lymphoma in China each year.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and consists of lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, lymphatic tissue, and lymphatic organs. Its main function is to help the body fight infections and other diseases. Because lymphocytes travel throughout the body via the lymphatic system, lymphoma can begin in multiple areas and may spread.

The most common symptoms of lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin. Other common symptoms include unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fever lasting more than three days, and unexplained coughing or shortness of breath.

Lymphoma can be divided into two main categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Childhood lymphoma typically progresses very quickly, especially non-Hodgkin lymphoma, so prompt treatment is crucial. With the continuous development of treatment drugs and methods, the five-year overall survival rate for children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in China can reach around 80%, while the five-year survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma can exceed 90%.

What New Drugs Are Available for Childhood Lymphoma?

Here, we have compiled a list of new drugs approved by the FDA in the United States for childhood lymphoma since the year 2000. Unfortunately, these drugs have not yet been approved for the treatment of childhood lymphoma in China (some have been approved for adult cancer treatment).

We hope that through the joint efforts of Chinese and American pharmaceutical companies, these drugs can be approved for the treatment of childhood lymphoma in China as soon as possible, further improving the cure rate for children with lymphoma in our country.

Different Types of Lymphoma and Their Treatments

Currently, the primary treatment for childhood lymphoma is chemotherapy. The treatment approach is often tailored based on different subtypes and risk factors, leading to varying durations and intensities of stratified treatment plans.

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)

Hodgkin lymphoma primarily has two subtypes: classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

The main treatment method for Hodgkin lymphoma is chemotherapy, which typically involves a combination of multiple drugs. Common chemotherapy drugs include Etoposide, Cyclophosphamide, Dacarbazine, Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, and Vincristine. Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma usually lasts between 2 to 6 months.

For certain subtypes, patients may receive additional treatments, such as targeted therapy. Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that selectively kills tumor cells by recognizing CD30 on their surface. Since classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is CD30 positive, patients with cHL can use this drug. Additionally, Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, can be used for nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma that is CD20 positive.

Moreover, immunotherapy has emerged as a new treatment in recent years. This approach utilizes the patient’s own immune system to attack cancer cells. For example, Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks certain signaling pathways, allowing immune cells to better recognize and attack tumor cells.

For some high-risk patients, or those whose disease does not respond to standard treatment or who experience a relapse, doctors may recommend a bone marrow transplant.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is also divided into different subtypes, with common types including Burkitt lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-cell and B-cell types), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

NHL typically progresses rapidly, so treatment should begin as soon as a diagnosis is made. Treatment methods for NHL include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplants.

In summary, childhood lymphoma is a very common type of pediatric tumor, but with standardized treatment, the overall efficacy is quite good. However, compared to countries in Europe and America, the five-year survival rate for childhood lymphoma in China is still relatively low, primarily because many of the latest drugs have not been approved for use in pediatric patients in China.

We look forward to more new drugs being approved for the treatment of childhood lymphoma in our country, bringing greater hope to affected children. May parents remain confident, actively cooperate with standardized treatments, and ensure proper nutrition and care for their children.

We hope for the speedy recovery of all children!

References:  

[1] https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/pediatric-oncology-drug-approvals  

[2] https://together.stjude.org/en-us/about-pediatric-cancer/types/lymphoma.html  

[3] X. Ni et al. Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer incidence and access to health services among children and adolescents in China: a cross-sectional study, The Lancet (2022)

Author: Li Lintong  

Layout: Xia Yu  

Proofreading: Zhang Zheng