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BMPD: using blood tests to stage lymphoma

There are no treatments in this study. Researchers need people with lymphoma who are having a bone marrow biopsy and who are willing to give a blood sample for research.


Purpose of trial

The aim of this study is to find out if a blood test can detect lymphoma in your bone marrow (the spongy tissue in the centre of your bones where blood cells are made). Lymphoma in the bone marrow is currently detected by a bone marrow biopsy. If a blood test is effective, this could reduce the need for bone marrow biopsies.


Treatments

You can only enter this study if you already have a bone marrow biopsy planned. Your bone marrow biopsy can be at diagnosis, during or after treatment, or at relapse (if the lymphoma comes back). For the study, you have an extra blood test before your bone marrow biopsy.  The researchers collect information from your bone marrow biopsy result so they can compare it with the results of the blood test.

The researchers also collect information from your medical records about your lymphoma and about yourself, for example your age. This information is kept confidential. The researchers can give you more information about the details they are collecting and how they are kept confidential.


Who can enter

Your consultant can advise you whether you might be suitable for this study.

Around 108 people are needed for this study.

You may be able to enter if:

  • You have follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, or marginal zone lymphoma (MALT lymphoma, nodal marginal zone lymphoma or splenic marginal zone lymphoma). You can also enter if you have one of these types of lymphoma, but it has transformed (changed) into a faster-growing lymphoma.
  • You are having a bone marrow biopsy as part of your care.
  • You are 18 or over.
  • You are being treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

You won't be able to enter if:

  • You have another type of lymphoma or two or more different lymphomas at the same time (people with transformed lymphoma can enter).
  • You are not fit enough to have a bone marrow biopsy.

Further information

More information about this trial is available at clinicaltrials.gov.