Cardiac Lymphoma
Cardiac lymphoma can manifest as an intracardiac or pericardial mass, and less commonly as a mass diffusely infiltrating the myocardium. Cardiac lymphomas tend to be B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Protheragen is a leading research service provider specializing in rare cardiovascular diseases, offering a comprehensive range of drug research and development services. We can tailor a suite of solutions for distinct applications in diseases such as cardiac lymphoma.
Introduction to Cardiac Lymphoma
Primary cardiac lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects primarily the heart and/or the pericardium, where the mass is mostly intrapericardial. Unlike primary cardiac lymphoma, secondary cardiac involvement is documented in 25% of all disseminated lymphomas. The symptoms of cardiac lymphoma (primary and secondary) at various sites in the heart are chest tightness, breathlessness, pericardial effusion, suffocation, arrhythmias, etc.
Fig.1 Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. (Bonelli, A., et al., 2022)Pathogenesis of Cardiac Lymphoma
The heart does not contain any lymphoid tissue, and it is therefore an uncommon site for lymphomas derived from the lymphatic hematopoietic system. Cardiac lymphoma was mainly secondary, and pericardial effusion was the main objective sign. Secondary cardiac lymphoma develops due to the metastasis of systemic lymphoma to the heart. This spreads hematogenously or through lymphatics from adjacent involved lymph nodes, or direct extension/contiguity from a contiguous mediastinal mass, resulting in infiltration of the heart and functional impairment.
Fig.2 Tumor histology of cardiac lymphoma. (Bonelli, A., et al., 2022)Therapeutics Development for Cardiac Lymphoma
| Drug Name | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclophosphamide | By inhibiting the replication and transcription of DNA, causing cell death. | DNA | Approved |
| Doxorubicin | Intercalates DNA, inhibits topoisomerase II, and forms free radicals, resulting in DNA disruptions and apoptosis. | DNA, Topoisomerase II | Approved |
| Vincristine | Suppresses microtubule polymerization by binding to tubulin, thereby preventing the assembly of microtubules. | Tubulin, Microtubules | Approved |
| Prednisone | Acts as a glucocorticoid receptor agonist, modulating gene expression and leading to apoptosis in lymphoid cells and inhibition of immune activity. | Glucocorticoid Receptors | Approved |
| Rituximab | A chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds CD20 on B-cells, which leads to cell death through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and apoptosis. | CD20 | Approved |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Full diagnostic solutions are offered by our company to be monitored by using cutting-edge imaging modalities, biomarker discovery, and histopathology for early and precise diagnosis of this devastating disease. From a therapeutic or drug discovery perspective, we can be an integrated partner for developing new drugs from design to preclinical development. We also provide disease models development services that reproduce the pathogenesis and progression of cardiac lymphoma to allow strong efficacy testing in vitro and in vivo models.
Therapeutic Development Services
Diverse Platforms
Animal Model Development for Cardiac Lymphoma
Animal models of cardiac lymphoma are indispensable for studies on the molecular basis of disease, for testing new diagnostics and therapeutic options. And at our company, we acknowledge the acute desire for suitable animal models for cardiac lymphoma and provide tailored animal model development services.
Genetically engineered models are designed to induce specific genetic alterations in mice that predispose them to lymphoma development. Models targeting B-cell lymphoma oncogenes (e.g., MYC, BCL2) or tumor suppressor genes could potentially lead to cardiac involvement.
This involves implanting human cardiac lymphoma tumor tissue or lymphoma cell lines directly into immunocompromised mice.
- Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDX)
- Cell Line-Derived Xenografts (CDX)
Pharmacokinetics and drug safety studies are Protheragen's essential research services, which are critical to establishing the appropriate dose for the first-in-human dose. Through the consolidation of these core services, our company offers a complete and integrated solution for drug development in rare cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac lymphoma, enabling researchers and biotechnology companies to develop transformational therapies more efficiently and safely. For further information about our services, feel free to contact us.
References
- Bonelli, Andrea et al. "Cardiac lymphoma with early response to chemotherapy: A case report and review of the literature." Journal of nuclear cardiology: official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology 29.6 (2022): 3044-3056.
- Zhao, Yu et al. "Clinical features of cardiac lymphoma: an analysis of 37 cases." The Journal of international medical research 49.3 (2021): 300060521999558.
For research use only, not for clinical use.