What Are Treatments For Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma?

Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL) is a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that originates in the T-cells, a type of white blood cell. PTCL is a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma, and its treatment often involves a combination of therapies. The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the type and stage of the disease, the patient's overall health, and their personal preferences. The main treatment options for PTCL include chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.

1. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for PTCL. It involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. The most commonly used chemotherapy regimen for PTCL is CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). Other regimens may include EPOCH (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin) or hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone).

2. Stem Cell Transplant

Stem cell transplant, also known as bone marrow transplant, is often used for patients with PTCL who have not responded to chemotherapy or whose disease has relapsed. This procedure involves replacing the patient's diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. The stem cells can be the patient's own (autologous transplant) or from a donor (allogeneic transplant).

3. Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a newer type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells. In the case of PTCL, targeted therapies may include drugs like brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) or pralatrexate (Folotyn), which specifically target cancer cells and cause less harm to normal cells.

4. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. For PTCL, immunotherapies may include drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or nivolumab (Opdivo), which work by blocking a protein called PD-1 on immune cells, thereby boosting the immune response against cancer cells.

5. Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are not just a last resort for treating PTCL. They can actually provide access to cutting-edge treatments that are not yet approved but show promise over years of testing. The choice of a clinical trial depends on a variety of factors including the patient's age, overall health, the subtype of PTCL, and genetic changes in the leukemia cells. It's important to discuss all treatment options, including goals and possible side effects, with your healthcare team to help make the best decision. 

To learn more about the clinical trial options, visit HealthTree's PTCL Clinical Trial Finder. Utilize the advanced filter option to locate trials that you are eligible to participate in. You can create a HealthTree account to favorite your top trial options so you can discuss them with your specialist.

Want to Learn More About Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma?

Keep reading HealthTree for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma's 101 pages!

• What Is Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma?
• How Is Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Diagnosed?
• How Long Will I Live With Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma?
• What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma?
• How Is Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Staged And Classified?