View clinical trials related to Lymphoma, Follicular.
Filter by:MiRNAs are small (~19-25 nucleotides) non-coding RNA molecules that bind to mRNA in a sequence-specific manner. MiRNAs regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs regulate critical cell processes such as metabolism, apoptosis, development, cell cycle, hematopoietic differentiation and have been implicated in the development and progression of several types of cancers, including hematological malignancies. Over-expression, amplification and/or deletion of miRNAs and miRNA-mediated modification of epigenetic silencing can all lead to oncogenic pathways. Hematologic cancers, which are caused by the malignant transformation of bone marrow cells and the lymphatic system, are usually divided into three major clusters: leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. To date, some of the hematological malignancies are very aggressive that early diagnosis is essential for improving prognosis and increasing survival rates. However, current diagnostic methods have various limitations, such as insufficient sensitivity, specificity, it is also time-consuming, costly, and requires a high level of expertise, which limits its application in clinical contexts. Thus, development of new biomarkers for the early detection and relapse of hematological malignancies is desirable. Some of the innate properties of miRNAs make them highly attractive as potential biomarkers. MiRNAs can be readily detected in small volume samples using specific and sensitive quantitative real-time PCR; they have been isolated from most body fluids, including serum, plasma, urine, saliva, tears and semen and are known to circulate in a highly stable, cell-free form. They are highly conserved between species, allowing the use of animal models of disease for pre-clinical studies. Furthermore, tumor cells have been shown to release miRNAs into the circulation and profiles of miRNAs are altered in the plasma and/or serum of patients with cancer. A growing number of publications confirm that miRNAs can be a useful biomarker for hematological malignancies diagnosis and progression.
This Phase II trial studies the overall tumor response of vaccine therapy in patientswith previously untreated Stage III or IV, asymptomatic, non-bulky follicular lymphoma. The vaccine contains an extract of the patient's own cancer cells and the immunostimulant protein, interleukin-2 (IL-2). It is hoped that when injected under the skin, the vaccine will enable the patient's immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer cells. The trial will also assess the safety of the vaccine, the time from vaccine treatment until the patient requires another type of anti-lymphoma treatment, progression-free survival, and the anti-tumor immune response.
RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some block the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Others find cancer cells and help kill them or carry cancer-killing substances to them. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Colony-stimulating factors, such as GM-CSF, may cause the body to make more blood cells and help it recover from the side effects of rituximab and combination chemotherapy. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving GM-CSF together with rituximab and combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with previously untreated advanced follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
RATIONALE: Biological therapies, such as GM-CSF, may stimulate the immune system in different ways and stop cancer cells from growing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some block the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Others find cancer cells and help kill them or carry cancer-killing substances to them. Giving GM-CSF together with rituximab may kill more cancer cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving GM-CSF together with rituximab works in treating patients with previously untreated follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma.