Trial success 'a lifeline' for Hodgkin lymphoma patients

The "incredible" outcome of a ground-breaking global trial gives hope for longer life to blood cancer patients, says one of its Australia-based authors.

Three young Victorians involved in the trial of a new treatment for early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma all remain in remission with no cancer detected after three years.

"These results are incredible with virtually all patients put in remission, and with the long follow-up we have, we can be confident that they are likely cured," said Professor H Miles Prince AM, an internationally-renowned haematologist who practises privately at Epworth's Richmond and Freemasons hospitals in Melbourne.

Prof Prince is also Director at the Epworth Centre for Immunotherapies and Snowdome Laboratories, one of the study's sites.

His research involved replacing two of the four conventional chemotherapy drugs traditionally used for Hodgkin lymphoma with targeted immunotherapy drugs.

The trial study, published in the prestigious journal Blood, showed 96 percent of the 154 patients who received the treatment combination had their cancer disappear on scans and remained free of disease. 

Tomas Parrish-Chynoweth, one of the three Victorian participants, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at just 26 years of age, with doctors discovering an 11-centimetre tumour pressing up against their heart and lung.

After just two months on the clinical trial, the cancer was no longer active within the body and Tomas was classed as being in remission. They described the trial as a "lifeline" compared to their experience with standard chemotherapy.

"Not only are these the best results ever seen for this group of patients, but it was also better tolerated than the usual chemotherapy cocktail of drugs we have had to give," Prof Prince said.

"This clinical trial study gives us confidence to continue to do further studies to reduce the amount of chemotherapy more and accelerate new treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma patients in Australia."

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer where cancer cells grow in lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system, and it most commonly develops in younger people.

Australia has around 830 people diagnosed with the condition each year, with half of those aged 15-39.

Prof Prince said the study was a major step towards the goal of improving treatment and care for Hodgkin lymphoma patients in Australia and around the world.

"Our immune system is ultimately what cures us of cancer, and immune-based therapies will be critical to the future treatment of blood cancers including Hodgkin lymphoma," he said.

"Clinical trials have the power to change lives. They provide eligible patients with an opportunity to receive cutting-edge treatments they otherwise would not be able to access in Australia."

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