Welcome to The Medical Pipeline (TMP).  The Medical Pipeline features topics that put you at the forefront of device, diagnostic, and drug research and development.  Our feature report focuses on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematological cancer in the United States, causing the most deaths among these types of cancer. This disease has several subtypes, with subtle variations, resulting in reduced effectiveness of standardized therapies. The introduction of rituximab, which targets B-cells, has had a positive effect on the management of NHL, but much still needs to be accomplished.

The pipeline consists of numerous medications approved for other indications (e.g., ofatumumab, everolimus, temsirolimus, and lenalidomide), which are being tested in patients with various subtypes of NHL. Two new monoclonal antibodies (inotuzumab ozogamicin and GA101) are currently in phase III development. An anthracycline derivative with reduced cardiac toxicity (pixantrone) was not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); however, additional studies will be conducted by the manufacturer to try to address the FDA's concerns. Medications with different mechanisms of action are in earlier phase trials.

Our Thought Leaders concur that the pipeline for NHL is robust. Cost of treatment will likely be a concern: The medications approved for other indications and currently being tested for NHL are relatively expensive, as are monoclonal antibodies. Comparative-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness studies are needed to optimally manage the clinical and financial aspects of the disease.