Mantle Cell Lymphoma Advice for a Community Oncologist

Jacqueline D. Barrientos, MD, MS, CLL Research and Treatment Program at Northwell Health Systems, advises community oncologists on how to treat patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). She emphasizes the importance of seeking a second opinion for patients that are not responding to treatment.

Other centers may have access to clinical trials that are not available to the community yet and can ultimately help the patient live longer. Barrientos says that if you are running out of options, communicate with an expert in MCL, or also look to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for guidance and information regarding ongoing trials for promising agents.

Unfortunately, relapse is still an issue in patients with MCL. However, new agents are showing more promise in the field. According to a paper published inTheNew England Journal of Medicineby Constantine S. Tam, MB, BS, MD, the combination of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and venetoclax (Venclexta) had very good responses in patients with MCL, as well as many complete responses.