New Drug Combination Offers Novel Treatment Strategy For Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Article Date: 04 Jun 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who become resistant to standard therapies may have a new treatment option. Scientists in the Lymphoma Translational Research Laboratory at Roswell Park Cancer Institute analyzed the mechanisms to overcome treatment resistance, including a new drug combination. Francisco J. Hernandez-Ilizaliturri, MD , Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), will present the findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2009 annual meeting, May 29 - June 2, in Orlando, FL.

"Strategies to Overcoming Rituximab-chemotherapy Resistance by Targeting the Autophagy Pathway Using Bortezomib in Combination with the Bcl-2 Inhibitor Obatoclax in non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL)"
Monday, June 1 - 5 pm EST
Level 4, Valencia Room, W415A

The Roswell Park investigators evaluated the biological effects of combining two drugs that target molecular pathways that play an important role in acquired resistance to standard therapies of rituximab and chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma laboratory models. Obatoclax is an investigational drug designed to kill cancer cells by blocking a protein that usually prevents cell death. Bortezomib, the first approved cancer drug in a new class of medicines called proteasome inhibitors, disrupts the growth and survival of cancer cells.

Scientists found that Obatoclax and Bortezomib are highly active against several lymphoma cell lines and tumor cells derived from patients with untreated or highly refractory lymphomas. When used in combination, the drugs demonstrated synergistic action.

"This research contributes to the scientific understanding of the mechanisms responsible for rituximab resistance, which will ultimately result in the development of novel therapies and better outcomes for patients," said Dr. Hernandez-Ilizaliturri. "Our laboratory finding strongly suggests that Obatoclax and Bortezomib are an effective drug combination that has potential as a new treatment option for patients diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and merits further investigation."

The incidence of NHL has been steadily increasing over the past two decades and is now considered the second most rapidly increasing cause of cancer-related death in the United States. In 2009, approximately 65,980 new cases of NHL will be diagnosed and 19,500 patients will die from the disease.

Source
Roswell Park Cancer Institute