Dr Moustafa on the Evolution of Treatment Options for Patients With MCL

Muhamad Alhaj Moustafa, MD, MS, hematologist/medical oncologist, Mayo Clinic, assistant professor, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, discusses the evolution of treatment options for patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). 

The treatment armamentariums for patients with lymphomas such as MCL are transformingwith the evolution of immune system manipulation, which is at the forefront of future therapies, Moustafa begins. This shift in the treatment paradigms encompasses a wide array of therapeutic approaches, ranging from bispecific antibodies to CAR T-cell therapies, BTK inhibitors, combinations of immunomodulators, and the introduction of novel agents, he states. The diversity of these therapeutic options presents a spectrum of opportunities for improving the care and treatment outcomes of patients with lymphomas, including those with MCL, Moustafa explains.

This treatment trajectory is marked by a sense of optimism regarding the future managementof MCL and other lymphomas. The synergy between traditional treatments and innovative immunotherapies enhances the effectiveness of standard regimens and significantly improves patients’ quality of life. The prospect of chemotherapy-free treatment approaches is particularly interesting, as these regimens may spare patients from the harsh adverse effects associated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, Moustafa continues. However, despite the progress made, the treatment of patients with MCL continues to pose significant challenges.

Despite treatment advances, including the advent of novel agents and therapies, a definitive cure for MCL remains elusive, Moustafa continues. Currently, allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the most viable option for patients who have experienced relapses or refractory cases of MCL, he emphasizes. Unfortunately, this approach is typically reserved for patients who have exhausted other avenues of treatment, Moustafa says.

With the combined efforts of researchers and clinicians, as well as the collective work of the medical community, oncologists continue to investigate treatment options for patients with MCL, with the ultimate goal of a cure, he concludes.