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In this newsletter you will find:
📖Conference Update
👩⚕️Who is Sarah?
💚Recently published webpages
🤯Keep an eye out for "tri specifics"
💬Recent events and upcoming events
For all upcoming patient events, please refer your patients to the Lymphoma Australia events calendar, found on our homepage or HERE
Conference tickets are still available!
Ticket sales ending soon- 30th June. So, you still have time to secure your tickets to what is expected to be our biggest conference, yet!
Speakers in this year's event include haematologists from all over Australia, NP’s, CNC’s and a huge mix of allied health professionals.
Meet Sarah
Sarah is the lymphoma nurse coordinator at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Sarah won the 2023 Lymphoma Australia Ambassador Award for referring the most patients to Lymphoma Australia for ongoing support. As the recipient of this prize, Sarah receives free conference registration, flights and accommodation to this years' event.
This year, we will be announcing two winners of the Lymphoma Australia Ambassador award, one from a metropolitan hospital/ cancer centre and another from a regional hospital.
Competition is still hot, and the prizes are still up for grabs, so make sure you are still getting your referrals in!
June 26th is rare cancers day
In preparation and to raise awareness, we have recently published new webpages on 3 rare subtypes of lymphoma including:
Hepatosplenic Gamma Delta T-cell Lymphoma
Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (including B and T-cell Lymphomas)
Non-Waldenstrom’s Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma.
These webpages meet health literacy standards, to ensure your patients get the information they need when they need it. Importantly they also are based on feedback we have previously received from patients about what
they want to know.
To ensure accuracy of information and clinical relevance, these webpages have also been medically reviewed by Clinical Professor and Haematologist Chan Cheah, and Haematologist Dr Josh Tobin
To find information on different Types of Lymphoma, please check out our extensive subtype resources information HERE
Image A. Trispecific Antibody Image B. Bispecific Antibody
What is a "tri specific" antibody?
First came unispecifics (rituximab), then bispecific antibodies, like blinatumomab (Blincyto) and mosunetuzumab, which target both cancer cells and immune cells to supercharge the body's defense. It was only a matter of time, and now, we’re entering an exciting new era with tri-specific antibodies. These cutting-edge treatments target three sites at once, offering even greater precision and effectiveness.
Tri-specific antibodies are a type of engineered protein designed to target three specific sites at once. They are a new and advanced form of treatment being researched for use in lymphoma.
How Do They Work?
Targeting Cancer Cells: Tri-specific antibodies can bind to three different targets, typically:
- A protein on the surface of the lymphoma cell.
- A protein on the surface of a T-cell (a type of immune cell).
- A protein at a third site, could be a second protein on the lymphoma cell or a protein on a different immune cell, like a natural killer cell. This helps enhance the immune response or increase the stability of the antibody.
Engaging the Immune System: By binding to both the cancer cell and the T-cell, tri-specific antibodies bring these two cells into close proximity. This allows the T-cells to more effectively attack and kill the lymphoma cells.
Why Are They Important?
- Enhanced Precision: Traditional therapies might target only one or two sites, which can sometimes be less effective and have more side effects. Tri-specific antibodies are designed to be more precise, potentially leading to better outcomes.
Potential Benefits in Lymphoma Treatment:
- Theoretically, it is more difficult for the lymphoma cell to evade immune destruction through single antigen loss (eg. CD20).
Potential Side Effects:
As these medications are still in phase one trials we do not yet know what the side- effects or outcomes will be.
Nurse's Role in Managing Treatment:
- Monitoring: Nurses should closely monitor patients receiving tri-specific antibodies for any adverse reactions, especially during the initial phases of treatment.
- Education: Nurses should educate patients and their families about the new treatment, explaining how it works, what to expect, side effect management and when to present to hospital
- Support: Providing emotional and practical support to patients undergoing this new treatment is crucial, helping them manage any side effects and adhere to the treatment plan.
By understanding the basics of tri-specific antibodies and their role in lymphoma treatment, nurses can better support their patients and contribute to more effective care. With tri-specific antibodies, three isn't a crowd—it's a breakthrough in precision medicine!
Patient Support is Available
One of the most frequently asked questions from patients is, "How can I connect with others who have experienced lymphoma?" Lymphoma Australia offers a solution through both in-person and virtual group chats.
Recently, our patient groups have been a huge success, with nearly 100 patients participating in various groups across the country. Patients are loving these groups! This is one of the many supports available to all your lymphoma and CLL patients, so make sure they are connected with us and don't miss out on these valuable support opportunities.
Additionally, we have an upcoming lymphoma and CLL patient education seminar in Melbourne. We expect more than 100 patients to attend for valuable lymphoma information and the chance to connect with others.
Other upcoming events include:
💚 Managing Treatment side effects group chat
💚 Melbourne in person group chat
💚Remission group chat
💚Relapsed/ Refractory group chat
If you have patients who would benefit, make sure you tell them to check out our events calendar for more details. Encourage your patients to join us!
If you have any questions, please reach out to our nursing team 1800953081 or nurse@lymphoma.org.au
