What is the general role of biomarkers in management of classical Hodgkin lymphoma?

FAQ published on February 12, 2014
Download Transcript Download Audio
Christian G. Steidl, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
What is the general role of biomarkers in management of classical Hodgkin lymphoma?

The question is what is the general role of biomarkers in management of classical Hodgkin lymphoma and informing on biology? So, we usually differentiate between prognostic and predictive biomarkers when we talk about the implications for risk stratification and using biomarkers to guide treatments. Prognostic markers focus on the prognosis of a patient and does not necessarily have direct implications of which treatment will be picked. Predictive markers on the other hand will guide the treating physician and the patients to pick the right treatment for the right person, so there is an added step involved in this process. Beyond the prognostic and predictive value of biomarkers, I also want to emphasized that biomarkers can be used for informing on biology and the development of new drugs, and this has been done in previous studies, and I want to emphasize that some of the biomarkers have more the flavor of informing on biology and others are poised to be implemented into clinical practice.

Last modified: February 12, 2014
Related Items by Author
What is the significance of the tumor microenvironment in classical Hodgkin lymphoma?
Christian G. Steidl, MD, PhD
FAQ published on April 9, 2014