Biosimilars are drugs that are similar to, but not identical to, other biologic drugs. They are made in living organisms and are very complex products that require review by the US FDA.

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors work by blocking the BTK protein, which is critical for the growth and survival of B-cells. BTK inhibitors can kill malignant B-cells and leave healthy T-cells largely unaffected.

Chemotherapy can travel through the bloodstream to kill cancer cells, affecting both cancerous and noncancerous cells. Treatment usually consists of receiving the drug orally or intravenously once a week for one or more weeks, followed by a rest period. The length of the rest period and the number of cycles depends on the particular disease and the type of drug(s) used.

Download the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Chemotherapy Fact Sheet

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACs) are proteins that regulate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), influencing which genes are used to make proteins. Some cancer cells make excess HDAC so inhibiting HDAC can inhibit cancer's growth or cause cell death.

Hypomethylating agents are epigenetic agents that inhibit DNA methylation and trigger the re-programming of tumor cells. Epigenetic agents are chemicals that can change how genes are expressed without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

Immunomodulators, also known as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) have multiple ways of fighting cancer. They kill tumor cells, prevent tumors from obtaining nutrients from the blood, and stimulate the immune system to destroy cancer cells.

Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors block cytokine signaling in cancer cells. They work by binding and inhibiting the activity of one or more of the Janus kinase family of enzymes. JAK inhibitors help regulate the immune system and can be an effective treatment for lymphoma.

Monoclonal antibodies are produced in a laboratory setting and designed to recognize antigens on the surface of cancer cells. They travel through the bloodstream and attach themselves to their specific target antigens allowing for the destruction of cancer cells by the immune system.

Oral therapies allow patients to take chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted anticancer drugs orally in liquid or capsule/tablet form. In the past, almost all cancer therapies were provided intravenously. Oral agents can effectively suppress cancer cell growth and maintain long-term remission. However, they can also cause side effects.

Download the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Oral Therapy Fact Sheet

Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors stop or slow down the growth of lymphoma cells by inhibiting the PI3K-delta molecule from transmitting signals that promote B-cell growth and help the cells move, divide, and survive.

Proteasome Inhibitors work by interrupting proteasome activity, a key component in the cell's ability to break down and recycle proteins. Cancer cells are unable to maintain their structure and function when proteasome activity is reduced, resulting in cell death.