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In this month's newsletter you will find:
🔹Spotlight on Mantle Cell Lymphoma
🔹Spotlight on Clinical Trials
🔹Lymphoma and CLL Pharmaceutical Updates
🔹Upcoming Events and Webinars for Your Patients
🔹Team updates
🔹Join our Special Interest Group
🔹Meet Our Lymphoma Care Nurses
🔹Fundraising
🔹Crossword
Lymphoma Australia is excited to announce the return of the National Lymphoma Nursing Conference in 2026!
We’re thrilled to bring this important event back, uniting nurses from across the country for 2 days of education, connection, and collaboration. The conference will be held in Sydney, with limited spots available, so we encourage you to register your interest today.
More details will be shared soon!
Expression of Interest: Melbourne Lymphoma Care Nurse
Lymphoma Australia is seeking an Expression of Interest to join our team based in Melbourne on a Part-Time basis.
Do you have at least 5 years of Haematology nursing experience, an interest in lymphoma and supportive care, and current AHPRA Registration? If you want the flexibility and opportunity to work from home, this may be the right opportunity for you.
This role provides opportunities in leadership development, patient support and education, nursing education, project coordination and implementation, and so much more.
To have a chat and see how you would align, please reach out and express your interest by sending through a current CV and a letter of interest that summarises your experience, direction and why you think you would be a good fit for Lymphoma Australia to nurse@lymphoma.org.au
REGISTER NOW for our Health Professionals Dinner @ BLOOD 2025!
If you are attending Blood in October or are based in Perth, register now to join us for dinner on Monday the 27th of October at the beautiful QT Hotel. Alternatively, if you can't make it in person, you can also join us online.
REGISTER NOW as seats are limited!
Lymphoma Australia invites you to our upcoming educational dinner event: CAR-T Cell Therapy in Lymphoma.
Join us in Sydney on Monday, 26th August for an evening focused on the latest developments in CAR-T cell therapy and its role in lymphoma treatment.
This is a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals to connect, learn, and discuss evolving treatment approaches.
Spaces are limited, so please register today to secure your spot.
Lymphoma Australia hosted a Nurse Dinner on 7th May 2025 at the Shangri-La Sydney, with a focus on Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and the management of patients receiving bispecific antibodies.
You can access the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCuumqyCn2g
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a subtype of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Most people diagnosed with MCL have an aggressive form of lymphoma, however in a small number of patients it can also behave in a more indolent way. There are more than 80 different types of lymphoma, and 5-10% of those diagnosed will have MCL.
It derives the name ‘Mantle Cell Lymphoma’ as the lymphoma cells grow from the ‘mantle zone’ (the outer edge) of the lymph node.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of MCL will depend on whether it is an indolent or aggressive type, and where in the body the MCL is.
In an indolent MCL, the only symptom may be an enlarged spleen. This can often go unnoticed as it grows slowly over a long period of time, and may only be diagnosed through an incidental finding for other reasons, such as a scan or physical examination.
In an aggressive MCL, enlarged lymph nodes may quickly emerge in the neck, armpit or groin. Other symptoms can include:
Unexplained Bleeding or bruising
Shortness of breath
Extreme fatigue (not improved with rest or sleep)
Pain or weakness in muscles, bones and joints
Recurrent or ongoing infections
Loss of appetite
B-symptoms including drenching night sweats, unexplained fevers and unintended weight loss
CAUSES AND CYTOGENETICS
Cytogenetic tests are done to check for genetic variances that may be involved in lymphoma. There are usually 23 pairs of chromosomes, numbered according to their size. The most common cytogenetic change in MCL is when a small part of two chromosomes (specifically chromosomes 11 and 14) interchange, referred to as translocation.
This mutation causes the B-cells to make too much of a protein called ‘cyclin D1’, a protein that promotes healthy cell growth. When too much is produced, it causes overproduction of B-cell lymphocytes to be made in the mantle zone of the lymph nodes. Because the cells are being made in amounts more than usual, they do not develop properly and therefore become cancerous.
Occasionally there may also be part of the chromosome missing, known as deletion. It is important to find out what type of cytogenetic changes are present, as this will indicate what treatment will be most effective.
FIRST LINE TREATMENTS
Common initial treatments for MCL include:
Watch and Wait (if Haematologist states the disease is indolent)
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy: R-Maxi CHOP (either R-DHAP alternating with R-CHOP) or (R-HiDAC alternating with R-CHOP) -with either of these regimens followed by an autologous stem cell transplant; R-Bendamustine, R-CHOP or R-BAC (for transplant ineligible patients)
Monoclonal Antibody: Rituximab (either after initial treatment, or used as maintenance after an autologous stem cell transplant)
TREATMENT FOR RELASPSED OR REFRACTORY MCL
Most people with MCL will have a good response to their first-line treatment, and go into remission. However, if this is not the case, the more common treatments for relapsed or refractory MCL include:
Targeted therapy – BTK inhibitor which may include ibrutinib (ImbruvicaTM), acalabrutinib (Calquence ™) or zanubrutinib (Brukinsa™)
Immunomodulators – lenalidomide (RevlimidTM)
Different combinations of chemotherapy
CAR T-Cell Therapy – Approved if have received at least two lines of therapy prior
For more information on Mantle Cell Lymphoma you can visit our website, or check out our Fact Sheet: Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
Do you have patients seeking information about clinical trials?
Clinical trials are a critical component of advancing therapies and can help patients access treatments for their Lymphoma. Trials allow researchers to explore the safety and efficacy of new treatments or new combinations of treatments compared to old ones, to see which medicine produces the better result and fewer side effects for patients.
Clinical trials in Australia must meet all Australian regulatory requirements and are approved by various committees to ensure the trial is ethically and scientifically sound.
To read more on Understanding Clinical Trials, you can visit our website where you can also watch our YouTube video featuring Professor Judith Trotman discussing accessing treatments and clinical trials.
To stay up to date with the latest clinical trials in Australia, you can visit ClinTrial Refer, an Australian website that is available to all patients, trials and doctors aiming to connect referrals and strengthen research networks
You can also visit ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of private and public clinical studies conducted around the world, allowing patients to search for their Lymphoma subtype and country, to see what trials are currently available.
CAR-T at Princess Alexandria Hospital:
Princess Alexandria Hospital is one of the latest CAR T-cell therapy locations, allowing eligible patients to now access CAR T- cell therapy in Brisbane. This is fantastic news for patients as this means reduced travel and accommodation costs, and the ability to remain closer to loved ones with support during their recovery period.
To read more on CAR T-cell therapy, and eligibility criteria, please visit our website.
Zanubrutinib updates:
Zanubrutinib (Brukinsa™), has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for more conditions in Australia, with some now covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means patients with Waldenstrom’s, CLL/SLL, MCL and MZL may be able to access Zanubrutinib.
Zanubritinib is a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTK inhibitor) developed by BeiGene. BTK is an important protein that acts to regulate cell proliferation and cell survival in some B-cell lymphomas and CLL.
BTK inhibitors are targeted therapies that work by binding to the BTK protein, blocking the protein’s activity by B-cell receptor (BCR) -induced BTK activation and its downstream signalling. From this, the BTK inhibitors block the activity that leads to B-cell growth, causing cellular death of the malignant B-cells. As BTK is also found in healthy B cells, patients may experience side effects due to the blocking action by the BTK inhibitors.
Zanubrutinib is available in a capsule formulation and patients are able to take this at home, instead of travelling into a hospital or clinic for treatment.
To keep up to date with new treatments, new indications and PBS Listings visit Treatment Updates - Lymphoma Australia
We invite you to check out our upcoming free webinars, which are perfect to share with your patients. These sessions provide valuable opportunities to learn more about lymphoma and CLL, hear from leading experts, and stay informed about the latest in care and support.
Encourage your patients to get involved and explore these educational events designed with them in mind.
We know that being diagnosed and living with lymphoma can be stressful, and many patients look to find more information than what is provided by their doctors. At Lymphoma Australia, we’ve developed a variety of factsheets and booklets to help patients understand their subtype of lymphoma or CLL, treatment options and supportive care.
You can download and print any of the resources, or order hard copies to be sent to your facility through Australia Post: https://www.lymphoma.org.au/support-for-you/fact-sheets/
Our Lymphoma Australia team has been busy on the ground over the past few months, travelling across the country to deliver lymphoma education, connect with local health professionals, and provide in-person support to patients and carers.
Take a look below:
Our Lymphoma nurses Liz and Kim had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Annual Congress, a collaboration between the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) and the International Society of Nurses in Cancer (ISNCC) of which was held in Adelaide, South Australia. This opportunity allowed Liz and Kim to connect with national and international cancer nurses, spreading awareness of Lymphoma as well as ensuring our knowledge of current services and supports is up to date.
We look forward to connecting with CNSA and ISNCC again next year in 2026.
Lymphoma Nurse Nicole and Haematology Clinical Nurse Consultant Anna Ayoub proudly represented Lymphoma Australia at St George Public Hospital for World Blood Cancer Awareness Day.
Together, they helped raise vital awareness of lymphoma, shared valuable information and resources with patients and staff, and highlighted the importance of early detection and specialised care in blood cancer. Their efforts play a key role in supporting those affected and educating the wider community.
Want a visit from one of our Lymphoma Care Nurses?
Do you know 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 on 1800953081 or email nurse@lymphoma.org.au.
The Lymphoma Australia Specialist Interest Group for nurses has been developed for anyone working in lymphoma care to keep professionals who are like minded connected around Australia.
The Specialist Interest Group has the following objectives:
- 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
- To 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
- Alerts on new and updated information including clinical trials exclusive e-newsletters for members
Meet Kimberley McKinnon
Lymphoma Care Nurse
Brisbane
Kim joined our Lymphoma care nurse team in 2025 after working at Saint Vincent’s Public Hospital in Melbourne as a nurse specialist. Kim has worked in the haematology and oncology setting for 5 years and continues to work clinically. Kim has previously completed a Graduate Certificate in Cancer nursing at the University of Melbourne, with a focus in haematology.
Kim has also previously completed a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Microbiology, a degree that sparked her interest in Lymphoma and haematology nursing. Kim is passionate about patient centred care, and providing those affected by lymphoma with the knowledge and support they may need.
Go DRY this July for Lymphoma Australia!
Ready to make a real impact? Register to go alcohol-free this July and choose to support Lymphoma Australia.
Every dollar you raise helps fund our Specialist Lymphoma Care Nurses, a vital lifeline for patients and families.
Our nurses provide personalised, expert support through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Because no one should face lymphoma alone, and thanks to you, they won’t have to.
Save the Date – Go LIME this September!
Get ready to Go LIME for Lymphoma Awareness Month. World CLL Day is on 1 September and World Lymphoma Awareness Day is on 15 September.
Start planning your lime-green activities, get your team involved, and stay tuned for how you can help shine a light on lymphoma across Australia.
Take a break - you deserve it. Enjoy a cuppa and a crossword!
ACROSS
3. A type of therapy where the medication is programmed to something specific to the lymphoma.
8. A diagnostic procedure when a medical practitioner removes a piece of a lesion so it can be assessed in pathology.
10. A common subtype of Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma, shortened to MF.
DOWN
1. B-Symptoms are a group of three distinct symptoms that some people may get with their Lymphoma. They include: Night sweats, weight loss and blank.
2. A common surveillance for an indolent lymphoma.
4. The word to describe a Lymphoma has come back after going into complete remission.
5. Allogenic stem cell transplants involve transplanting the stem cells from a matched donor into the patient. What is the name for a stem cell transplant, when the cells are collected from and reinfused into the same patient?
6. A type of immunity that is developed over the course of your life.
7. Clinical trials are used to find new medicine or new combinations of medicine with the aim of improving Lymphoma treatments. What is the name of the type of trial where we do not know if a patient has received a medicine or a placebo?
9. Lymphoma grade can be described as low-grade, and blank-grade. Fill in the blank.
