Could a Newly Developed Plant Virus-Based System Treat Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is an aggressive form of cancer with a very high prevalence. The likelihood of the average American developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at some point in his or her lifetime is 1 in 50. So, there’s a high chance that you or someone you know will be impacted by the disease at some time in your life.

For the most part, NHL patients undergo the same treatment as many other types of cancer. This includes chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and drug regimens. While these methods are commonly used, the outcomes are oftentimes not ideal. And, on top of that, the side effects can be horrible for patients already under the emotional distress of a cancer diagnosis. Typical side effects include nausea and vomiting, brain fog, extreme fatigue, and many more. While most side effects dissipate once treatment is completed, others are referred to as long-term side effects, which can affect someone for years to come after their treatment is completed. Long-term side effects of chemotherapy and radiation include somatic symptoms such as severe headaches, along with organ damage that puts patients at a higher risk of developing further serious illnesses, including heart disease. Along with this risk, NHL also has a high rate of cancer recurrence, or patients becoming impacted by second cancer. The long-term side effects of standard cancer treatments leave patients both physically and emotionally exhausted, and worsens the situation in the unfortunate event that recurrence or a second cancer does appear.