title: Innovation in non-Hodgkin lymphoma drug discovery: what needs to be done?
abstract: A new generation of anticancer agents called target drugs has been recently developed for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Current recovery rates in these diseases are up to 70% with immunotherapy based on the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody combined with standard chemotherapeutics. However, there are still refractory or relapsed patients. Recently, several novel anti-lymphoma agents have been developed. Choosing the most effective personalized therapy still remains a crucial challenge in hematology. Areas covered: New drugs can specifically target malignant cells and inhibit cancer cell growth, proliferation and survival by specific interactions with one or more target proteins. Recent clinical studies have illustrated promising outcomes for novel drugs used as single agents and in combination with traditional therapeutics. In this article, the authors discuss novel targeted therapies with a promising outcome in NHL patients that are becoming integrated into treatment paradigms. Expert opinion: The development of new treatment options may help to avoid cytotoxic chemotherapy entirely in some clinical settings. Multicenter studies should be continued to investigate small agents and pathways inhibitors as this will enable us to enhance not only the duration of the treatment response but also the quality of the extended survival.
authors: a Department of Experimental Hematology , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Witkowska
authors: a Department of Experimental Hematology , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Smolewski
authors: a Department of Experimental Hematology , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.|b Department of Hematology , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.
authors: Agata
authors: A
authors: Majchrzak
authors: b Department of Hematology , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.
authors: Tadeusz
authors: T
authors: Robak
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015195:Drug Design; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D057285:Precision Medicine; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; antibody-drug conjugates; immune-checkpoint inhibitors; monoclonal antibodies; small molecule inhibitors; targeted treatment