Targeted therapies for lymphoma

Targeted therapies can stop cancer growing or spreading by targeting specific proteins and gene mutations that help the cancer to grow. 

• Targeted therapies can be used alone or with chemotherapy.
• They are usually given as tablets or as an infusion into a vein.
• New drug treatments are being developed all the time. 

Some new drugs may be available to you as part of a clinical trial. Ask your consultant about this. 

Different drugs work in different ways. For example:
• Monoclonal antibodies trigger your immune system to attack cancer cells or target the cancer cells with drugs or a radioactive substance.
• Cancer growth inhibitors block or turn off the proteins/chemical signals that tell cancer cells to divide and grow.

These drugs have some mild side-effects. You may get side-effects after the first dose, a bit like an allergic reaction. Side-effects depend on the drugs used and include:

• Nausea and diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Leg aches
• Muscle cramps
• Swelling of fingers, eyelids, face or lower legs
• Fever
• Headaches
• Rashes or itching
• Chills
• Breathing problems
• Chest or tummy pain
• Low blood pressure. 
• Infections
• Bleeding

Tell your nurse or doctor if you get any side-effects.