Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common type of the slow growing non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. FL is derived from germinal center B cells and acquire genetic changes to develop into a malignant phenotype. BCR and its pathways appear to contribute to the survival of malignant cells.

FL accounts for one-third of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in adults. Median age at diagnosis is 60 years. This lymphoma usually responds well to initial treatment but is prone to relapses, sometimes transforming into high-grade NHL. The prognosis for individual patients can be estimated using the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI). Follicular lymphoma is not usually curable with conventional treatment. All patients usually receive rituximab as part of their treatment. However more patients are becoming rituximab refractory which has led to the research and development of new therapeutic agents.