Biotechnology revolutionizes the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma, the seventh most common tumor in men and the eighth in women in Spain

Lymphoma is a broad term that describes a type of cancer originating in the cells of the lymphatic system, specifically in lymphocytes (a type of blood cell formed in the bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells), which are a type of white blood cell crucial for the immune system.

Although there are more than 40 types of lymphomas, they can generally be divided into two major subgroups: Hodgkin lymphoma (characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, it is the less common type and usually has a favorable treatment prognosis) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (which includes a wide group of lymphomas, further subdivided into B-cell and T-cell lymphomas, depending on the type of lymphocyte affected). This latter group is more heterogeneous and varies in terms of aggressiveness and prognosis.

The Spanish Cancer Registry Network (REDECAN) estimates that in 2024 around 12,400 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed in Spain, with the majority (approximately 85%) being non-Hodgkin. This makes lymphoma the seventh most common tumor in men and the eighth in women in the country.

Biotechnology has revolutionized lymphoma diagnosis with the development of next-generation sequencing tools, allowing for the identification of specific genetic mutations and molecular profiles that help classify and better understand lymphoma. It has also enabled non-invasive cancer detection methods, such as blood or other types of liquid biopsy, facilitating disease monitoring and early detection of relapses.

A significant advancement from biotechnological innovations is biomarker analysis. This allows the identification of proteins and other molecules that may indicate the presence of lymphoma and help monitor the treatment response. Recent biotechnological approaches in lymphoma research, such as the development of new therapies like targeted therapies, CAR-T therapies (which involve modifying the patient's T cells to specifically attack lymphoma cells), and monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, have been fundamental.

Gene editing, using technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 capable of correcting genetic mutations that cause or contribute to the development of lymphoma, offers an approach that could potentially repair defective genes in hematopoietic progenitor cells or immune system cells. Lastly, nanotechnology, through the use of nanoparticles or liposomes loaded with drugs, improves drug delivery to cancer cells, increasing efficacy and reducing side effects.

In this regard, and to mark the celebration of World Lymphoma Day on September 15, we delve into some of these approaches and innovations through the work of Altum Sequencing and Atrys Health, partners of AseBio.

Liquid biopsy test for detecting tumor DNA in blood plasma

Altum Sequencing is a biotech company specializing in non-invasive products for detecting tumor cells that survive therapy. Their main goal is to introduce personalized tests into clinical practice to monitor cancer patients and select the best treatment.

CloneSight is a liquid biopsy test based on detecting tumor DNA in patients' blood plasma or other types of liquid biopsies using ultra-sensitive sequencing tools. “The goal is to determine whether the cancer has been completely eliminated after treatment or, on the contrary, predict relapses as early as possible, thus improving clinical decision-making,” explains Yanira Heredia, CEO at Altum Sequencing.

The development of this technology began more than 10 years ago in the hematology department of Hospital 12 de Octubre, aiming to meet one of its primary clinical needs: effective and non-invasive monitoring of lymphoma patients. “Since then, it has been tested in multiple tumors, not just hematological ones, proving to be a highly useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring cancer patients. CloneSight has improved cancer detection capacity compared to conventional techniques, thereby enhancing clinical decision-making, having a direct impact on patients' quality of life, and reducing healthcare costs for the national health system,” Heredia explains.

This technology has been validated in over 2,000 patients, thanks to participation in numerous clinical trials in the field of oncology. “In these, the sensitivity of CloneSight has been compared with traditional tests like imaging studies or highly invasive tumor biopsies. The promising results have been published in high-impact international scientific journals,” concludes Heredia.

Precision medicine and biomarker development for diagnosis

Atrys Health is a global healthtech company dedicated to providing medical services that maximize efficiency in the prevention, diagnosis, and precision treatment of medical conditions through innovative technologies. It offers services in the field of specialized diagnosis, combining precision techniques in pathology, molecular diagnostics, and telemedicine; as well as in the area of oncology treatment, including both medical oncology and advanced radiotherapy.

The company works in the field of personalized medicine, with a focus on the development of biomarkers aimed at diagnosing Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous and aggressive disease with a highly variable clinical course. Approximately 70% of patients are curable with standard immunochemotherapy using R-CHOP, but the remaining percentage are either refractory to the treatment or experience relapse.

"Currently, it is not possible to accurately predict which patients will respond positively to treatment and which will not. Therefore, we need to develop tools that allow us to link the molecular alterations of DLBCL to a negative treatment response," explains José Antonio López, Medical Director of the Precision Medicine area at Atrys Health.

Additionally, through SIMM, a subsidiary of the group dedicated to medical diagnosis via molecular and metabolic imaging in Nuclear Medicine, the company contributes with its PET-CT equipment and expert professionals to scientific advancement and excellence in care for both adult and pediatric patients affected by lymphoproliferative syndromes. "There is no doubt that the new radiopharmaceuticals in development and more sensitive, optimized equipment will make the application of Nuclear Medicine techniques even more essential and indispensable for personalized and precise cancer diagnosis and follow-up," concludes López.