Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell essential to the body’s ability to fight infections. The most common type of lymphoma, found in 4 out of 5 patients is non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which can be further classified into aggressive (fast) and indolent (slow) growing subtypes of disease.

With multiple subtypes, treatment and prognosis varies greatly. “Relapse” unfortunately is a well-known term for people with lymphoma, and with each relapse their prognosis worsens. Patients often live in fear of their cancer returning, which has a significant emotional and psychological impact – not just on them – but also on their families and friends.

Roche’s medicines have contributed to improving patient outcomes and advancing the treatment of lymphomas, with several considered the standard of care. Yet there is still progress to be made to help as many patients as possible to live longer, healthier lives.

Two of our key focus areas are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). In DLBCL, we’re aiming to increase the likelihood of lasting response for people newly diagnosed with the disease and provide treatments that mitigate the chance of relapse. For FL, our goal is to help patients achieve long lasting remissions, even after multiple lines of therapy, and minimise the impact treatment has on their day-to-day life. 

To do this, we are working in partnership with the lymphoma community to re-define treatment standards. As well as pioneering new therapies we are looking at beyond-the-medicine solutions like supporting widespread access to treatments so that we can help as many people with lymphoma receive the best care possible.