Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common type of the slow growing, indolent form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
FL is derived from germinal center B cells which acquire genetic changes to develop into a malignant phenotype.
Most patients present with advanced-stage, widespread FL, with a median age at diagnosis of 60 years. Initially, patients may not need treatment straightaway, but when treatment is needed, most patients have chemo-immunotherapy or radiotherapy. The overall prognosis for individual patients can be estimated using the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI).
FL usually responds well to initial treatment but is prone to relapses, sometimes transforming into high-grade NHL. Follicular lymphoma is not usually curable with conventional treatments; however, outcomes in the rituximab era have improved with ~80% of patients achieving an overall survival of >10 years. Although rituximab is an effective treatment option, more patients are becoming rituximab refractory which has led to the research and development of new therapeutic agents. Promising new treatment approaching include CAR-T and epigenetic therapeutics.
Follicular Lymphoma
Follicular Lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common type of the slow growing, indolent form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
FL is derived from germinal center B cells which acquire genetic changes to develop into a malignant phenotype.
Most patients present with advanced-stage, widespread FL, with a median age at diagnosis of 60 years. Initially, patients may not need treatment straightaway, but when treatment is needed, most patients have chemo-immunotherapy or radiotherapy. The overall prognosis for individual patients can be estimated using the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI).
FL usually responds well to initial treatment but is prone to relapses, sometimes transforming into high-grade NHL. Follicular lymphoma is not usually curable with conventional treatments; however, outcomes in the rituximab era have improved with ~80% of patients achieving an overall survival of >10 years. Although rituximab is an effective treatment option, more patients are becoming rituximab refractory which has led to the research and development of new therapeutic agents. Promising new treatment approaching include CAR-T and epigenetic therapeutics.
