In recent years, major advances in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) diagnosis and treatment have resulted in longer survival rates for patients. This positive trend has been made possible by the discovery of new therapies and treatment combinations.

Despite this progress, there is still no widely accepted standard approach for treating MCL. Some patients do well with watchful waiting, while others with more aggressive disease require more intensive therapy. According to Michael Williams, MD, Chair of the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s MCL Consortium, most MCL patients respond well to initial therapy. However, the duration of the response is typically short relative to other forms of lymphoma.

MCL patients face many challenges, but Williams remains optimistic. “I would remind patients and their families that there has been a great deal of progress in MCL in recent years,” says Williams. “We are getting better at identifying biologic markers for individual MCL patients that tell us whether they are likely to have a more indolent or aggressive clinical course.” This information is important because it ultimately will allow clinicians to risk-adapt therapy such that we do not over-treat those who have less aggressive disease or under-treat those who need a more intensive therapeutic approach.

Williams also points out that MCL researchers are actively discovering new treatments and improving current therapeutic strategies. “There are a number of promising new therapies for the treatment of MCL, including drugs like bortezomib, lenalidomide and bendamustine,” states Williams. “Several phase III clinical trials are under way in the United States and Europe that are incorporating these drugs into front-line treatment in hopes of attaining deeper remissions and longer durations of response. In addition, there are new strategies for stem cell transplantation being tested in multi-center trials.”

Every research study and clinical trial provides insight into the disease. By continually examining MCL and new developments, researchers and clinicians are confident that their ability to diagnose and treat MCL patients with the most appropriate therapy will continue to improve outcomes and survival.