🔹Spotlight on Hodgkin Lymphoma – Understanding subtypes, diagnosis & treatment
🔹New MyHodgkin MyHealth App – Helping patients track their treatment journey
🔹Support for Rural, Regional & Remote Patients – Resources & care access
🔹Pharmaceutical Updates – New lymphoma & CLL treatments approved
🔹Nurse Education & Special Interest Group (SIG) – Online learning & networking opportunities
🔹Legs Out for Lymphoma – Get involved & move every day in May!
🔹Upcoming Events & Webinars – Stay updated on lymphoma education sessions
🔹Meet Our Lymphoma Care Nurses – Featuring Liz from our team
🔹Lymphoma Crossword – Test your knowledge with this fun challenge

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an aggressive blood cancer that begins in the white blood cells called B-cell lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system. Affecting both adults and children, it is most common in people aged 15 -29 years with a second peak later in life in people over 70 years of age - although it can occur at any age. 

Hodgkin lymphoma is highly treatable, and was first diagnosed in a patient in the 1830s by an English doctor named Thomas Hodgkin. This diagnosis was made after two scientists called Reed and Sternberg, studied tissue samples of people with Hodgkin lymphoma. They found that all people with HL had a particular type of abnormal cell. Because Reed and Sternberg were the first to find this cell, they called it the Reed-Sternberg cell.

It is unknown what causes HL, but different risk factors are thought to possibly be involved. This includes: previous infection with Epstein Barr virus (EBV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), certain diseases of your immune system, a weakened immune system (for example, after an organ/stem cell transplant), or a family history of Hodgkin Lymphoma.

There are two main types of HL – Classical HL (cHL) and Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant HL (NLPHL). Further research has found that NLPHL does not have the characteristics of Hodgkin Lymphoma, so it has been renamed as Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant B-cell Lymphoma (NLPBCL), with treatment and management differing from cHL. For more information, see here.

There are 4 sub-types of Classical HL, all of which are treated in the same way:

Nodular sclerosis cHL – This is the most common type, accounting for 60% of all HL cases. It usually develops deep in the middle of the chest (mediastinum), but can also develop in the spleen, lungs, bone or bone marrow, or rarely in the liver. This subtype receives its name from its appearance under the microscope with nodular referring to a ‘node-like’ pattern in the tissue and sclerosis referring to ‘scar tissue’ as there is typically a mixture of Reed-Sternberg cells, normal white blood cells and scar tissue.

Mixed cellularity cHL – This is the second most common subtype of cHL, and accounts for approximately 15 – 30% of all HL cases. It is more common in older adults and in men, but can still affect others too. It usually develops in lymph nodes just under the skin deep in the fatty tissue, but can also develop in the spleen, bone marrow, liver and other organs.

Lymphocyte rich cHL – This subtype accounts for approximately 5% of the diagnoses, is usually found earlier than other subtypes of cHL as it usually develops in the lymph nodes just under the skin deep in the fatty tissue. It is difficult to differentiate this subtype from nodular lymphocyte predominant HL as they have similar presentation and prognosis. 

Lymphocyte depleted cHL – This is a very rare subtype of cHL, accounting for less than 1% of cases, it is seen more so in HIV-infected or EBV-infected patients. This subtype often goes undiagnosed. It usually develops in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, deep in the abdomen area. It can also develop in organs such as the liver, pancreas, stomach and bowel.

To learn more about Hodgkin Lymphoma including diagnosis, symptoms and treatment, visit our website where you can download our fact sheet and booklet for more information.

MyHogkin MyHealth App Launch

Have you heard about the new MyHogkin MyHealth App? If you are caring for any patient with Hodgkin lymphoma, let them know about it! Aiming to improve understanding of the long-term consequences of Hodgkin lymphoma treatments, encourage your patients to join this growing movement, mapping the treatment journey and gaining long-term data on the impact of a Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis.

Download on Apple here
Download on Google Play here

Lymphoma Australia recently published their Regional, Rural and Remote (RRR) webpage. The webpage is dedicated to lymphoma and CLL patients and their carers living in the regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.

Approximately 7 million people live in rural and remote Australia. That’s 28% of the Australian population, as per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Throughout 2012-2016, the 5-year survival rate for all cancers combined was highest in major cities, reaching 63%. Whereas very remote areas only reached a 5-year survival rate of 55%. This highlights the importance of reaching out to our patients living in the RRR areas to best support them through their diagnosis, treatments and survivorship. 

The page aims to bridge the gap of resources and provide key information on how patients can get the right care, as well as provide information on diagnosis, treatment, and care coordination, appreciating the challenges RRR brings. For more information visit our Regional, Rural and Remote Hub.

Following recent regulatory meetings, Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) new treatments have been recommended for eligible Australian lymphoma and CLL patients:

Newly diagnosed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) – The combination of Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and Venetoclax (Venclexta) has been approved as a fixed duration treatment of newly diagnosed CLL and SLL, providing an all-oral treatment regimen for patients.

Ibrutinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and it acts to block the chemical messengers called tyrosine kinases. As Tyrosine kinases send out growth signals in cells, this blocking stops the cells from dividing and growing. Venetoclax is a B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor, and targets BCL-2 proteins. BCL-2 is a protein that is commonly overexpressed in CLL and functions to stop cellular death. Venetoxlax attaches itself to these proteins, restoring the cells ability to self-destruct. 

Patients may expect to have up to 15 cycles of this treatment:
Cycles 1 - 3: Daily Ibrutinib 
Cycles 4 - 15: Daily Ibrutinib + Venetoclax. 

Mycosis Fungoides (CTCL) – Ledaga (Chlormethine gel) has been approved for the treatment of Mycosis Fungoides for eligible patients and is available on Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Eligibility criteria includes:

• Patients over the age of 18
• Early-stage disease (IA, IB, or IIA)
• Limited body surface area affected (up to 25%)

Chlormethine, the active ingredient in Ledaga, is a bifunctional alkylating agent that acts to inhibit the proliferating cells.

The gel can be applied daily as a thin film on the affected areas. Treatment is stopped if the patient develops any skin irritation or ulceration, and can be restarted once the skin effects have resolved, at a reduced frequency (daily every 3 days).

Ledaga can only be prescribed by a haematologist or dermatologist.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) - Epcoritamab (Epkinly) has been granted provisional approval in Australia for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. It is currently listed on the PBS the Epkinly Access Program (EAP) has been created to provide eligible patients access to epcoritamab.

Approval of Epcoritamab by the TGA has been decided on overall response and duration of response from an uncontrolled, open label phase I/II study. 

Epcoritamab is a humanized IgG1, T-cell engaging bispecific antibody that binds to CD20 on B cells and to CD3 on T cells. Epcoritamab is administered via subcutaneous injection, in 28-day cycles, with a 2-step up dosage schedule to reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions, including cytokine release syndrome. 

Relapsed/refractory Large B Cell (LBCL) – Patients with relapsed or refractory Large B Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) now have expanded access to axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), a CAR-T cell therapy for large B-cell lymphomas (2ND line therapy).

Car-T in 2nd line DLBCL - Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), is now available as a second line of treatment for patients with CD19 positive, refractory disease or relapses within 12 months of their first line treatment. 

Patients can expect to receive a course of lymphodepleting chemotherapy several days prior to the Yescarta infusion and be monitored by specialised nurses and haematologists. 

A bit about Yescarta: 

Yescarta is a CD19 genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy. CD19, is a B-cell marker, of which is expressed on the surface of B-cells.

The patient’s T-cells are collected via T-cell apheresis and genetically modified to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR). The CAR’s target CD19, allowing the modified T-Cells to now recognise the malignant blood cells in the patient.

Patients are required to remain as an inpatient for minimum 7 days (variable depending on your facilities local guidelines), and remain in accommodation nearby the treating centre as an outpatient for ongoing monitoring of adverse reactions. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity remain the two most commonly experienced adverse reactions following Yescarta.  

Yescarta is not indicated for the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma. 

Online Nursing Modules

Have you seen our Online Nursing Modules? Lymphoma Australia continues to encourage and promote nurse education through online webinars, education sessions and nurse education modules. Our modules have up-to-date information on lymphoma and its treatments presented by world-class specialists working in the lymphoma space.

These modules are self-directed and online, to suit the busy schedules of nurses all around Australia, allowing them to develop their lymphoma knowledge and provide specialist education to their lymphoma patients.  

Topics range from the diagnosis and staging of Lymphoma, discussions on specific subtypes of lymphoma, understanding Car-T and clinical trials. For more information or to register, visit Nurse Education Webinars.

Did you know that one of our lymphoma nurses can come to you? If your facility would like an online or in-person in-service you can contact us at 1800 953 081 or email nurse@lymphoma.org.au.

Want to Join our Special Interest Group (SIG)?

Our main objectives for the SIG are to:

• Provide peer support and an environment in which nurses can network, exchange knowledge, and seek information to strive for best practice in their workplace

• Facilitate professional development within the group by organising guest speakers, seminars and workshops in your local areas for nurses

• Provide ongoing support and information for patients across Australia

• Conduct meetings at annual conferences where the group can meet face to face

• Provide national updates on current research and advocacy for medicines for our lymphoma patients

• Provide alerts on new and updated information including clinical trials exclusive e-newsletters for members

 If you wish to join this group, you can register here: Our Special Interest Group - Lymphoma Australia

We welcome you to refer all of your lymphoma/CLL patients or their carers to the Lymphoma Care Nurse team. Patients can be referred at any point, from diagnosis, during treatment, after treatment or relapsed/refractory lymphoma/CLL. Complete the form here: Connect With Us and one of our nurses will reach out to your patient by phone or email to offer support and arrange for a treatment support kit to be sent to them.

Every day, lymphoma patients face challenges—sometimes even a short walk to the front gate is a significant achievement. This May, we’ve invited them to move in a way that works for them, taking small but meaningful steps to support their well-being and recovery.

Now, we’re asking you to stand with them. As a healthcare professional, you see their strength and resilience firsthand. By joining Legs Out for Lymphoma and setting your own movement challenge throughout May, you’ll show your support while also helping to fund Specialist Lymphoma Care Nurses, ensuring patients and their families get the expert care and guidance they need.

Every move—big or small—makes a difference. Join us and help ensure that no one faces lymphoma alone.

Please save the date for our upcoming Sydney Nursing/AT Education Dinner!

When: Wednesday 7th May 2025 6:30-9pm
Venue: The Royal Exchange, 1 Gresham Street, Sydney
Topic: Exploring advances in Bi-Specifics and your DLBCL patient

Presenters: Professor Mark Hertzberg, Haematologist, and Karen McCardie, Clinical Trials CNC, at Prince of Wales Hospital

More information will be available shortly!

Liz Harris

Liz joined Lymphoma Australia as one of our Lymphoma Care Nurses in 2024. Alongside her role with us, she continues to work part-time as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Haematology at the Prince of Wales Hospital – where she has been since 2007 when she began her nursing career.

Over time Liz has completed her Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing and worked in many different nursing roles and environments in the Haematology setting. This has helped shape and evolve her experience and skills in caring for patients with lymphoma and other haematological disorders. She strongly believes in the value of patient advocacy, education and support – the core of what is valued here at Lymphoma Australia.

Take a break - you deserve it. Enjoy a cuppa and crossword!