title: Novel therapeutic agents for T-cell lymphomas.
abstract: T-cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of T-cell malignancies arising from post-thymic mature T-cells. Together they account for 10-15% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Because of the different underlying pathology, different T-cell lymphoma subtypes may require different treatment approaches. In general, the treatment results of T-cell lymphomas, using conventional anthracycline-based combination chemotherapy, are disappointing. Though autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation may offer a cure to some of the patients, a substantial proportion of patients are not eligible for transplantation because of the chemo-refractoriness or short remission duration of the lymphomas. Novel therapies may open up the potential path for better disease control. We review several classes of novel treatment for T-cell lymphomas including monoclonal antibodies, epigenetic modifiers, newer generation of cytotoxics, and specific targeting agents that may improve treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Haematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Thomas Sau-Yan
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Yok-Lam
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tse
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents